Hundreds of Caboodle Cats Go Home

Thursday, August 16, 2012 - 1:00pm
Hundreds of Caboodle Cats Go Home

Hundreds of cats rescued from an environment of terrible neglect are receiving loving care in new homes this week. The ASPCA helped multiple agencies in Florida adopt out the cats during three major adoption events on August 11 and 12.

The events, hosted by the Jacksonville Humane Society, Cat Depot and Humane Society of Pinellas (with assistance from Bay Area DART), drew more than 1,600 people to cities across Florida to adopt hundreds of cats rescued in late February from Caboodle Ranch.

This Saturday, August 18, the Halifax Humane Society is hosting another event to find homes for some of the remaining cats with special needs, including those who are FIV-positive or have feline leukemia. Please see the details below.

What: Halifax Humane Society Adoption Event
When: Saturday, August 18, 10:00 A.M.-4:00 P.M.
Where: Volusia County Fairgrounds (Hester Building) 3150 E. New York Avenue (State Road 44) DeLand, FL
How to Adopt:Potential adopters should bring with them one government-issued photo ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport, military ID or non-driver ID) and proof of address.

With your help, the ASPCA is able to rescue animals across the country. Your gift today will make a critical difference for thousands of others who need our help. Thank you for making a tangible difference in the lives of homeless cats and dogs.

Tags: 
Adoption Event

Comments

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 10:38 — Jean Thorne (Visitor)
It would have been better if the ASPCA had stepped in and helped this man who was trying to rescue these cats instead of waiting and turning him into a monster which he is not. Needed help, not condemation. I sent my donation to his legal fund.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:07 — Barbara Kubicke (Visitor)
What a shame this ever had to happen. I am happy some of the cats found forever homes after living in cages for months. I visited the Ranch in 2009. I found it to have many cats and most were happy and well. I did see that Craig was a bit overwhelmed and needed help. I think if he had been given the help and extra hands he needed all this ugly stuff could have been avoided.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:54 — R.D.Wylie (Visitor)
Yes it is sad that thigs went so far it kinda like KATRINA but I think a great deal for the ASPCA they have saved thousands of animals unlike the govt and FEMA waiting till civil unrest people walking around in sewage LEO'S going bizereke and the don't set a standard if maybe CRAIG would have called and the ASPCA had seen what he was up against and stepped in before it got worse!!!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 18:43 — Mary (Visitor)
While I never visted the Caboodle Ranch, I tend to agree with Barbara's assessment. I think enormous harm has been done to Craig and a basically good if overwhelmed operation, and that the ranch could have been strengthend and improved rather than destroyed, plunged into debt and Craig left demonized and facing criminal charges. I cannot see this as any kind of victory for ASPCA. I am glad that many cats were placed in individual homes. I understand there are as many still waiting. I hope you find homes for them as well. BUT let's be honest. Caboodle existed because so many local shelters find themselves with so many cats left to them that they have to euthanize them rather than give them time to find placements. ASPCA and the like cannot solve the enormous problem of cat overpopulation due that is the fault of owners who fail to neuter if they don't choose to breed responsibly by themselves. They need to form working alliances with people like Craig, help them to set up well run responsible operations and combine strengths. Not destroy those who could be your best allies. Let's all put aside personal agendas and make animal welfare the true focus. Your own article about the collection of cats from the ranch describes most of them as friendly. You know that isn't the case in a truly abusive situation.

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 12:50 — EJ (Visitor)
'Best allies' to the ASPCA or like groups do not neglect medical attention to cats. Did you not see the photos and film of the cats with the ulcerated eye, and serious respiratory infections? It takes a lot more than feeding and watering a cat for them to be healthy. Any cat dumped on his property should have been spayed/neutered, fetuses aborted if early on, and screened for contagious diseases, isolated from the other cats until they are deemed healthy, etc. Some of the conditions of the 'ranch' were filthy including one of the refrigerators used for medical supplies. He refused medical assistance for one of the cats and she died painfully because of it. I do think that the intervention should have been earlier so that cat would have gotten medical treatment. It would not have bothered me if the agent from the ASPCA would have simply taken the cat to the vet without permission, certainly the law should protect both the cat and the person getting them medical attetion when they are in an abusive situation. The cats being friendly is the nature of the being. There are different types of abuse. Obviously these cats were abused - too many died from lack of medical attention. How is this not clear to you?! Try watching the film again.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:47 — Susan Ridge (Visitor)
I truly don't understand why you would send a donation to this man's legal fund when he stood by and did nothing to help these cats. Instead he just took in your money and everone else's. Thank god the ASPCA stepped in or these cats would have died a long, slow and painful death. I actually would call that man a monster.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 18:51 — Mary (Visitor)
I think you might find some interesting information if you do some independent research on this case. This fellow did not take the funds and run. There are plenty of photos to show the shelters he built. The cats in the photos look well fed. Every account describes them as friendly.. neglected and abused animals tend to be frightened and lacking confidence. I don't think anyone here should be called a monster. But I do think that there could have been a much better outcome than was achieved here with a raid.

Tue, 04/16/2013 - 00:09 — Your mom (Visitor)
Maybe you should do some research and stop helping the ASPCA's president make $500,000 a year and continue to lobby for KILL shelters and shut down NO KILL groups!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 01:26 — Andrea (Visitor)
If his intentions were good this man should have reached out and asked for help. His actions/inactions resulted in the misery and harm of many animal beings. The ASPCA stepped in because he didn’t step up. I don’t know the man but it seems that he was in over his head and couldn’t admit it. The man was negligent. The ASPCA cannot possibly assess, anticipate or police all of the ‘rescue’ places in the US. That is not their job. It is not their fault that this man hurt these animals, which is almost what you imply.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 08:47 — Michelle (Visitor)
Thank you. I'm glad to see there are others who know the truth of the situation. Which I were in a position to also help this man prove his love for cats. If people had not dumped unwanted cats who were not spayed/neutered on his property the way they did this tragedy would have never happened.

Sun, 08/19/2012 - 12:34 — EJ (Visitor)
You are wrong! Their undercover investigation showed that when offered to take a very sick cat to the vet for free that he rejected it. He did not use the money received from donations to get the cats veterinary care and so forth. It was a scam, and the victims are the cats and the people who donated money to help the cats when it was misused. Even if this man set out with good intention, you have to know when too much is too much. It is the the ASPCA's responsibility to rescue animal abusers. It is their responsibility to rescue the animals. His actions are what you should be looking at, and those actions were abusive. Why do you care more about someone who did more harm than good and not the cats who suffered severely?!

Mon, 08/20/2012 - 12:09 — Rocky (Visitor)
He actually was offered help many times, but always refused it.

Thu, 01/10/2013 - 01:41 — Gwendalina Carrera (Visitor)
Very well put. This man was trying to do ALONE what the humane societies were not doing: help homeless, unwanted cats. The thing to do was to intervene earlier and help him out, not punish him for doing what was really the job of the humane societies. I just sent him a donation for his legal expenses and I am thinking of cencelling my monthly donation to the ASPCA. I'll send it to him instead!

Thu, 01/24/2013 - 13:49 — injury lawyers ... (Visitor)
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. Nevertheless imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with pics and clips, this site could certainly be one of the best in its niche. Very good blog!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:01 — felinavox (Visitor)
Craig Grant is a sick man and needs medical help for his conditions. Think about it, many people and groups offered to help this man but he continually pushed people away because he does not have any skills in dealing with humans.This is mental illness and not so much a crime but his misuse of donations is fraud and should be punished accordingly. How can anyone possibly help so many cats all by themselves and with no staff or proper spay/neuter & medical care>? One would have to be unstable to think that one person and a few friends can manage the care of 700 cats. I am appalled by the number of people who still send money to support Craig Grant. Perhaps, if you really want to help him, you would hire a proper psychotherapist so that he can get counseling to deal with his condition and better cope with life. I feel that the courts should prohibit CG from owning ANY animals UNTIL he has gone through a few years of mental health treatment/counseling and been cleared as a recovering hoarder. Even after he is cleared there should be a limit on the number of pets he can legally own./In recovery he should have no more than 5 pets. If I were the judge that would be an absolute stipulation. I have no doubt that the man cares about the cats and had all good intentions to start. However, it is unrealistic to think that he could manage 700 cats. Sending money to his legal fund is not helping the cats whatsoever. Why not send a donation to help the cats instead? I don't get it at all! Crazy!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:04 — R.D.Wylie (Visitor)
OKAY give himm a straight jacket in a cell ang get the cats out of the cages and if he is resonsible for the poor cats getting FIV maybe the can give him HIV I wasn't aware he turned down help I'm aware of another incident that came out the same way and naturatlly the animals sufferd!!!! I'M home to 3 feral cats and a dog that was rescued from a animal shelter and she was on her last day you might say GOD sent her a lfe pardon.Because now all 4 of them are in a loving home and recieve regular vet care!!!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:12 — Naveeda (Visitor)
It's easy to sit back and judge but unless u actually offered to help and donate your time and or money then u don't have the right to judge and criticize !!!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 16:21 — B (Visitor)
Do me a favor and visit caboodleranch.net. It shows some of the evidence found from the so called sanctuary. Ya, maybe we shouldn't judge the man, obviously he is suffering from some sort of hoarding disorder and can not comprehend that he was hurting these animals instead of helping them, but it is pretty hard not to judge after reading all the terrible things found on the ranch. It really disturbs me that someone could actually believe they didn't need help caring for 700+ cats, and obviously the donated money wasnt used to help care for them because if he did get help and use the donations for the cats this all wouldn't have happened.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:01 — Judy (Visitor)
Maybe he should have "ASKED" for help.I don't think he is capable of taking on this type of enormous task if he can't ask or even recognize that he needs help. Good intentions just aren't enough when lives are at stake. Seems to me your donation is a little too late, maybe you and friends, neighbors and the community should have donated money and time when it was truly needed for this man to succeed in such a worthy cause. Your donation to ASPCA would have been put to much better use caring for those poor, sick, depressed animals. They were right there in front of his own eyes, yes this is his fault. He should reached out for help.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:17 — Terri Halle (Visitor)
When someone is mentally ill, with a hoarding disorder as Craig appears to have, then he could not ask for help because he wasn't/isn't aware he has a problem. The so-called authorities should have offered help to him long ago, and worked with him to keep his cats healthy. The county has been aware of him, but didn't give a damn because it saved them from spending money on those abandoned cats! Once someone made up some fake scenarios with sick cats, to make it look worse than it was, it was suddenly front page news. I'm sure it was horrible there, BUT it all could have and should have been managed in a decent way with a mentally ill person, who needed to be saved as much as the sickly cats. The county failed this man all the way around. It's now my understanding that he was allowed to adopt more cats and some dogs too. Sooo, I have to wonder, WHY - if he is not capable of having animals in his care, then WHY was he allowed to adopt more? What is really going on with this story?

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 17:51 — Cooper (Visitor)
is it a mental illness to knowingly take money from people (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars) to aid in the care of the cats they are signing over to you, then use that money on yourself? That's not a mental illness, that is greed, pure and simple. He allowed once healthy cats to come in direct contact with sick cats - cats with FIV, FeLV, ringworm and upper respiratory infections. He could have prevented it all if he would have used the donations he received to hire staff and create isolation wards. Instead he took that money and ran. Shame on him. He deserves everything he gets and then some.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:09 — Terri Halle (Visitor)
Why were all the cats taken from this man, who is obviously mentally ill and suffering with a hoarding disorder, but yet he was allowed to then adopt more animals to bring home, including 2 dogs? Is this right or just more internet rumors? Did he really get other animals, without getting medical help first? Something is really, REALLY not right about this whole situation.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:15 — Ann (Visitor)
I agree with the above comment that this individual who was doing his best to care for these cats should have received assistance with his efforts instead of being villified. I realize that things got out of hand with regard to the number of cats he was trying to help but why didn't ASPCA help sooner???

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:40 — Hazel Blumberg-McKee (Visitor)
I had the opportunity to visit the Caboodle Ranch, and so impressed was I that I left four of my cats with Craig. Craig was very vigilant about caring for the cats, getting them regular vet care, and providing a wonderful life for them. It disgusts me that he's being called a hoarder and someone who's mentally ill. He is neither. He was always open about the difficulties of upper respiratory infections among the cat population; I've seen such difficulties in vet clinics in which I've worked. The ASPCA or PETA or someone, if they really wanted to help Craig, rather than simply spy on him and destroy his reputation, should have offered to help. But they didn't. I will be contributing to Craig's defense fund. He deserves it and does not deserve the villification. I am amazed that the ASPCA has actually stepped in to help. Whenever I've called the ASPCA in my region of the state, I have been told that the organization "can't do anything." I am not impressed with the ASPCA or with PETA.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:16 — Stephanie (Visitor)
The fact that you had four cats, and left them with somebody says it all. When you get an animal (or four) you are supposed to properly care for them for life. They aren't disposable. It's scary that you have this mentality and yet have worked in vet clinics.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 16:46 — B (Visitor)
I totally agree with you, what an idiot. First off, if you are going to defend this guy, make sure you don't tell people that you dumped your cats on to him. Secondly, look up the evidence of how many cats suffered from illness and disease from place, it's obvious that they were not recieving proper care. The guy may be nice and have the best intentions but yes, he is a hoarder and good intentions are not good enough. Look up evidence found from caboodle ranch and then let me know If those are normal difficulties you were use to seeing when you worked at the vets. I really hope you found a new line of work because I would hate to think of you as vet haha

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 19:00 — Mary (Visitor)
Let's see.. you've called this other person an 'idiot' and attacked their ability to perform in their line of work. What a gem of a human being you are!

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 18:58 — Mary (Visitor)
Just a little sanctimonious, aren't we? Empathise much?

Mon, 08/20/2012 - 16:21 — Maureen (Visitor)
I couldn't have said it better, you are exactly right obtaining a pet is for the life of the pet, what kind of a person turns over her or his animals to someone and admit tingly works at a Vet clinic. It reminds me of people that give up their animal because "their new apartment doesn't allow animals" would these same people give up their kids and take an apartment if they didn't allow children? This man should be prosecuted for animal cruelty and made to pay back much of the money he collected in support of the animals to reputable rescues. Also in this case the ASPCA should shoulder some of the responsibility for not stepping in sooner and removing the animal that was dying as an emergency confiscation. And as a side note, if I had surrendered any of my animals to this person I would now be beside myself with worry as to what happened to them but she seems to be very unaffected, that also says something as to her mindset.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:48 — Gennai (Visitor)
I have a six acre estate and have an occassional cat dumped on my property. The ASPCA here in Greene County NYS was about as helpful as a boil on my backside. I asked them to take the animals and I was told "No". I then requested for assistance in getting them Spayed/neutered. No dice. If it had not been for AnimalKind in Hudson NY, I would not have been able to afford getting 14 cats cared for. Thanks to AnimalKind, NOT ASPCA, I have healthy, happy cats.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 15:17 — dolores plamondon (Visitor)
How true ! I called the ASPCA for help several tims, to come out here in " Hill country " Lakehills TX. to pick up a Mama dog, male dog, and FOUR pups that were dumped at a "ice house' It has been at least 5 months now , and NO help from anyone- even called T.V. stations, Bandera police dept. etc, I bring them water and food , and some people leave food. It is a pitiful sight--still no help from any organazation!! I will never support the ASPCA!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 11:56 — Leslie Ramalho (Visitor)
Yay!!! Glad this worked out for all of the adoptees! This was so out of hand, it's ridiculous. Someone should have alerted someone about this problem before it was allowed to go so far. I'm happy for all the kitties with new, happy, and safe forever homes!

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:03 — Stephanie (Visitor)
It's easy to say that he should have been offered more help, but as the one in charge of the sanctuary, he should be providing all animals in his care with proper food and medical. This includes not accepting more cats than he can properly care for. It's expensive, and time consuming, but of you aren't in a position to do it properly, or of you are no longer in a position to do it properly, you need to seek help for the animals yourself. Maybe the man has mental illness or hoarding issues, maybe he just got overwhelmed, and I feel for him, I'm sure his heart was in the right place, but that's not to take precedent over the welfare of all animals involved. The ASPCA cared for these animals, and many of them are getting a second or third chance at happiness.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:11 — Stephanie (Visitor)
Bottom line, if you can't care for your animals, you shouldn't have animals, no matter the reason. I'm glad the ASPCA steps in when owners have failed to meet their responsibilities. You can bellyache about this all you want, and it's a sad situation, but the cats should be the main concern of any animal advocate.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 12:30 — Tracy (Visitor)
Knowing the facts, if you go back and watch Craig's own You Tube videos, you can see the cats scratching fleas, cats that are underfed, cats with tipped ears. You can see how desperate they were for attention. Thank you for all who were involved in saving these kitties. I hope they all find homes where they have fresh food, beds to sleep on, laps to sit on and all the love they deserve. Thank you, ASPCA.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 13:58 — Lynda Fisher (Visitor)
I'm happy that these cats are finding homes and being cared for. Why did it take a year to investigate this place? That in it of itself is a crime.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 17:58 — Cooper (Visitor)
Unfortunately, cruelty cases are very difficult to prove. If every step of the process is not thoroughly documented, and all evidence is impeccable, the case can be thrown out. Animals have no true rights. We may see them as loving, living beings - part of our family. But in the eyes of they law they are property and nothing more. And until the laws catch up, this will continue to be an issue. The penalties for cruelty are so insignificant in most cases it's hardly a deterrent.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 14:28 — sheckyb (Visitor)
It's wonderful of the ASPCA to rescue these cats from their rescuer. It seems clear the man's intentions were good, he just became overwhelmed and didn't know how to ask for help.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 16:52 — Julie Lepper (Visitor)
Craig Grant is a wonderful man! The ranch was well maintained with plenty of food and fresh water. I know because I visited there twice. Shelters constantly struggle with communicable diseases. The Caboodle Ranch was no different. The differce was that Craig chose to treat the animals vs. kill them. Julie Lepper

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 18:05 — Cooper (Visitor)
A wonderful man? Have you SEEN the video at the time of the raid? If you think this is how animals should be treated, you need some serious help. And as far as KILLING them...ASPCA is not killing these cats. There are FIV+, FeLV+ cats, there are ferals, there are disabled cats. There was a cat who was blind and missing part of his tongue. These cats were not killed. They were medically treated, and are being adopted as 'special needs' cats. He could have prevented the spread of diseases - the information is out there - it's called an isolation ward, and it takes rigorous effort to prevent the spread of some serious disease. Instead he chose to let sick cats mingle with healthy. That, to me, is not a good person. And you think this place wasn't a train wreck, watch the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnTLSjip9FI

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 19:07 — Mary (Visitor)
Seriously? Why do you people who don't choose to listen to testimony given by people who have actually been to the Caboodle Ranch feel so compelled to show personal distain for the posters? Phrases like ".. you need some serious help" show personal distain. Can't you disagree with the poster without seeking to humiliate her? Seriously?

Tue, 04/16/2013 - 00:14 — Your mom (Visitor)
The EVIDENCE shows that these poor cats were taken by the ASPCA and shipped off to KILL SHELTERS. Great job ASPCA! Did it ever occur to you that some of these cats CAME with medical issues and were being treated? There WAS an isolation ward. Unfortunately ASPCA'S little POS agent let them out with the other cats. You would know this if you weren't so busy paying their president's $500,000 salary and aiding their KILL shelter lobbying! You must sleep soundly at night listening to their byline while their golden shelters have a 95% kill rate! You're one ignorant POS. Do some fucking research before you run your mouth.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 17:04 — Susan Mehas (Visitor)
The people who are defending this man don't have a clue what really was going on at Caboodle Ranch. The ASPCA or any other large organization would not be involved in a rescue if it truly was not needed. They are the experts, people need to respect their evaluation and their actions. These cats were suffering and needed medical care. There is no excuse for that. People had been reporting him for some time. This was not just a whim and a quick decision to intervene on behalf of the cats.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 18:30 — Laura Hulaj-Campbell (Visitor)
Do you notice how it is people who gave up their cats who are the ones defending this guy? Is hoarding a mental disorder, or just greed? The guy took money and animals, and didn't do what he was supposed to do. He cheated people, he committed fraud, and he lied. Let's stop with the bleeding heart analysis and call him and everyone else who support him what they really are - self serving shit faces who try to ease their own inhumane consciences by supporting a fellow inhumane shit face. Piss on them all.

Sat, 02/09/2013 - 00:15 — Noki (Visitor)
I completely agree with you.these shitfacers are enablers who are 'dumpers'.they dump cats on this man and walk away. They don't give a shit what happens to them. He propagated their guilt by taking money and misusing it on himself.same thing happened with Susan marino and angels gate. Another scammer.they are all liars.they give good cat people a bad name.

Fri, 08/17/2012 - 21:53 — J Secrist (Visitor)
I think this should have been handled in a much better way. ASPCA should be ashamed for this. I am disapointed. Yes,he had too many cats to manage well, and ASPCA could have helped him adopt some out and other management assistance but to actually cause more death and suffering of cats puts ASPCA in the same "heav-y handed jackbooted" category as the Inhumane society and Peta. Donate to your local no kill shelters and TNRs, not Humane Society or ASPCA, I really expected better of this organization. There a definitely two sides to this story and I hope someone does a fair documentary or story about this.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 05:44 — Whatsaiththou (Visitor)
Perfectly said

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 04:30 — Diane (Visitor)
I am not going to JUDGE the man who had the cats, but I AM very, very happy to hear that they are being rescued and given good, loving homes at last!! I am happy that there IS an ASPCA, and that they ARE helping animals by being alert and active every day!! YAY ASPCA!!! YOU ROCK!!! :)

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 05:41 — Whatsaiththou (Visitor)
Hypocrites. Judge away, God will be doing the last judging.

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 16:55 — B (Visitor)
All I have to say is I am glad the cats are getting adopted and finding new homes. For those of you who don't understand why this happened and are unaware of the evidence found from this cat "haven" please visit caboodleranch.net. It shows some of the court evidence used in the trial for Craig... I warn you it is very disturbing.

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