Breeder accused of animal hoarding after 89 Maine Coon cats seized from Calgary home

A pet breeder has been charged after humane society officers removed 89 Maine Coon cats from a Calgary home.

Calgary Humane Society investigators were dispatched to what they called an “animal hoarding situation” last April.

READ MORE: Over 80 cats seized from Calgary home due to ‘illness, environmental conditions’

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Officers determined that all of the cats needed to be removed due to environmental and medical concerns.

Ruth Sogz, who is 57, has been charged under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act with permitting animals to be in distress.

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Brad Nichols, senior manager of animal cruelty investigations, says it is unusual to find so many cats in a residence.

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He says it’s important that pet owners know their limits concerning space, time and finances.

“Over and above the environmental conditions, many of these cats were suffering from serious communicable disease,” he said Wednesday.

“Potential legal consequences aside, there have already been serious, irreversible consequences to the cats and the home.”

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