CHARLESTON, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – Mingo County deputies arrested a woman at her home in Delbarton after 106 cats, 12 of which were dead, were taken from the residence.
Glenn Faye Adair was arrested and charged with Felony Animal Cruelty- Mistreat Animals in a cruel manner and Felony Animal Cruelty- Improper sustenance, including food and water. Adair is in her seventies.
“This has been a long and emotional investigation, and we appreciate everyone who assisted with the rescue of these animals,” the Mingo County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook. “We are especially thankful to Guardians of Rescue and Pitiful Paws Rescue for all their help.”
Guardians of Rescue and Pitiful Paws were able to obtain a search warrant after a neighbor filed a claim about Adair’s residence. Guardians of Rescue, which is based in Kentucky, focuses on animal hoarding cases in areas that lack adequate resources.
According to reports, more than 100 cats were locked in cages in the basement of Adair’s Delbarton home. Conditions were described as “hellish.”
“This was yet again an extremely unfortunate case in rural Appalachia,” wrote Pitiful Paws Rescue. “An extremely mentally ill elderly woman was the “caretaker” of these cats and was living in this home up until recently. She kept telling us that these cats weren’t used to living in filth, that she just needed to go in and clean some litter boxes, and that she needed to clean up a little. And she fully meant that when she said it. She believed that. She did eventually willingly sign over the animals.”
According to Pitiful Paws, Adair was also caught taking cats off her property to hide them before she was arrested. The organization believes every animal has been rescued.
Most of the cats will survive. However, several will need both eyes removed, and one will lose a leg. Numerous cats were born deformed due to inbreeding and malnourishment, most of the animals have severe upper respiratory infections and they were all dehydrated, according to Pitiful Paws.
In a Facebook post, Pitiful Paws stated that Adair was mentally ill and unaware of her actions.
“She did know what she was doing to a degree at the very least. We are not trying to be callous towards her in any way, and we were very kind to her during the process…We are an animal rescue and, at the end of the day, our duty is to the animals, and while we wish there would have been a better outcome for this woman…she needs to comprehend what she’s done, and she doesn’t need to be the caretaker of anything living.”
Adair was not living in the home with the animals. She had purchased a new residence across the street, which was also in poor condition. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “animal hoarding is a complex and intricate issue with far-reaching effects that encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.”
All of the rescued cats will eventually be ready for adoption. Follow www.facebook.com/PitifulPaws or www.facebook.com/guardiansofrescue for more information.