Information provided by the Hollister Police Department Animal Care and Services. Read this article in Spanish here.
Animal Care and Services has updated the numbers of animals recovered during search warrants executed on Thursday and Friday of this week.
On Thursday the 7thtin March, Animal Control Officers obtained a search warrant for the property located in the 700 block of El Toro Drive. Officers initially seized thirteen dogs and estimated there were around 200 cats inside all the different rooms in the house and the nearby garage/workshop. Two individuals were arrested, and the home was red tagged, restricting anyone from entering the home due to health safety concerns and electrical issues found inside.
The crew prepared to return the next day to retrieve the cats. They enlisted the help of several rescue organizations as well as Santa Clara County Animal Services and the Monterey County SPCA.
On Friday, crews arrived at the home to find the suspect back inside the home. Staff discovered that many of the cats that roamed freely in the home, and not in kennels, were gone. The cats may have escaped the home when the suspect returned. He was removed from the location and the staff started the recovery operation.
Rescue volunteers, neighboring agencies and Hollister Animal Care staff processed the home and recovered 13 dogs, 65 live cats and 31 dead cats. Two of the cats were rushed to the veterinary hospital for treatment. Some other cats appear ferocious and have escaped confinement. Our staff will plan to work with our local nonprofit organizations to try to capture any remaining cats from that location.
The following animal rescue groups collaborated with the team, Hitchcock Road Animal Services, Monterey SPCA, Red Dog Ranch, and Wildlife Volunteer Deanna Barth. In addition to those groups, the following groups help and take in rescued cats. Pet Friends, Coming Home, Joybound, Whiskers and Claws, Cat Crew. In addition, Marina Gordon also rescues cats.
It is customary for rescue organizations when taking in cats to scan them for chips. If any cats are captured with implanted chips, it will be the goal of all rescue groups and animal control staff to return the pets to their homes.
The Hollister Police Animal Care and Services team is extremely grateful for the efforts of our local rescues and volunteers who stepped forward to help. This appears to be the largest animal neglect case in history, within the city of Hollister.
The investigation is ongoing, and this case is being referred to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Anyone interested in donating food or supplies for these rescued animals is encouraged to donate directly to the rescue organizations. However, the police department lobby is open today between 2 pm and 4 pm for anyone who wants to donate. The supplies will be forwarded to those rescue groups. The animal shelter also takes donations during business hours Monday through Friday at the shelter located at 1331 South Street.
