Cobb Rescue Assists with Cat Cruelty Case

Cobb County's Good Mews cat rescue group is among several agencies assisting the ASPCA in the removal and sheltering of approximately 600 cats living in deplorable conditions at a non-profit cat sanctuary known as Caboodle Ranch in Lee, FL.

The cats were kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. Numerous cats were found with untreated medical issues with many in critical condition.

Responders also discovered deceased cats on the property.

"Five of us are staying for a week," shelter manager Robbin Yeager told Patch. "Don’t know the amount of cats yet we are going to be able to take until they are released for adoption purposes."

“Removing hundreds of animals is a huge undertaking, and we are truly grateful that these agencies offered their assistance in the case,” said Kathryn Destreza, director of Investigations for the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response team. “Numerous agencies throughout Florida and as far as California have committed to helping us continue our life-saving work and giving these rescued animals a second chance.”

Complaints received by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) set the organization's five-month undercover investigation in motion. PETA then gave the evidence to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Madison County Animal Control contacted the ASPCA for assistance in the criminal investigation, evidence collection, rescue and sheltering efforts of the case.

Craig Grant, founder of Caboodle Ranch, has been arrested and charged with one count of felony animal cruelty, three counts of cruelty to animals and one count of scheming to defraud, according to the ASPCA.