The Michigan 78
(warning - graphic!)
Click here to go to the Michigan 78 success page!
July 19, 2004 - Following a request for assistance from the Michigan State Police who were investigating the complaint, 78 Cornish Rex (including pregnant queens) and three Rat Terrier pups were removed from the Ishpeming home of Grace Aalto-Rosenbaum, who was operating Cascading Rex cattery, and Louis Rosenbaum. These animals were held as evidence in a criminal neglect case. The Rosenbaums were charged with ten counts of animal cruelty. In a plea agreement in August, the Rosenbaums pled no contest to one count of animal cruelty. As part of the judgment, they forfeited all ownership interest in the 78 cats and 3 pups, and they agreed to pay $13,964.31 which represented veterinary care, staff time and transport for the seizure of the animals, and only 25% of sheltering costs incurred to date.
The cats arrived in the Marquette County Humane Society shelter with many health problems including bartonella, panleukopenia, calicivirus, and ringworm. The cats are also predisposed to dental problems and most will need to have regular dental cleanings throughout their lives. Many of the cats had bladder infections, thought to be due to the filthy conditions in which they lived. Jarod (below , warning - graphic!) had the toenails on his front feet grown so long they had grown into the bottoms of his foot pads. Internal parasites including roundworms and coccidia were found in many of the cats. All of these problems were highly preventable with normal care including nail trims, regular cleaning of their housing, and annual vaccinations and vet checks.
All but a few of the cats lived in wire cages, many for their entire lives. This has led to some behavior issues including cats that do not tolerate being out of their cages. Many of the cats were without water or had water that they refused to drink because it was full of debris and bugs. This led to a few cats that will now drink every bit of clean water that is put in front of them, presumably thinking that they may be without again at any time. A few other cats have become so used to not having water available that they don't drink any water that is offered. They have learned to cope without water despite the health problems this causes.
One of many cages stacked up to the ceiling and very dirty.
A Rex in a dark cage near the floor with
very unsanitary conditions
Another example of the living conditions of these cats.
This is Jarod hours after having his overgrown
nails cut out from his paw pads. You can see the holes that were left in
his pads. Jarod could have been spared a lot of pain and discomfort with
a simple nail trim.
This is Yola with her rapidly growing mammary tumor. She
had not been seen by a vet for this problem prior to coming to the MCHS.
Note also the deformity to her left front paw. Yola was also diagnosed with
a grade 5 heart murmur.
This is Frank after several weeks
of medical treatment. He was eventually diagnosed with Calicivirus, Panleukopenia,
and an auto immune disorder among other problems. Frank came to us weighing
less than half of his ideal body weight. He had no known vet care prior
to coming to the MCHS.
More photos and information can be seen on the MCHS Cornish Rex page.
Donations cam still be nade to the MCHS.
Please contact the MCHS at info@upaws.org,
call (906) 475-6661, or write:
Marquette County Humane Society
P.O. Box 842
Marquette, MI 49855
Click here to go to the Michigan 78 success page.
Click here to return to the Cornish Rexcue Web page.
Practice safe Rex:
spay, neuter and rescue.
All photos on this page are © 2004 by the MCHS.
Used with permission.
Images are © 2004 by Greta Huls and cannot be used without written
permission.
