153 of hoarder’s cats euthanized since 2010

Last edited Wed Aug 27, 2014, 12:36 PM - Edit history (2)

Posted August 26, 2014 - 5:42pm
Updated August 26, 2014 - 6:41pm

By JANE ANN MORRISON
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

A total of 153 of the 165 cats removed by Las Vegas Animal Control since 2010 from the home of cat hoarder Diane Dejongh were euthanized, some because of ill health, others because they were feral cats that were not adoptable.

Most of the cats removed from 1417 Lucaccini Lane, in the west valley, were in such poor health that they were unadoptable, said Meghan Scheibe, spokeswoman for the nonprofit Animal Foundation which operates the Lied Animal Shelter. ... Over the past four years, five were adopted, one died at the shelter, one was dead on arrival, 153 were euthanized, three were placed in foster care and two went to rescue operations.

The Animal Foundation, which works with about 70 animal groups locally and regionally, has the exclusive contracts to handle animals turned in from the city of Las Vegas, Clark County and North Las Vegas. Henderson has its own shelter. ... “Most of the time animals from hoarders’ homes are suffering,” said Scheibe.

Of the 153 euthanized, 18 were in such bad shape that it was an act of mercy, 46 were feral and could not be adopted, 26 had severe medical conditions, and 63 had behavior issues that made them unadoptable.