JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 24 (UPI) -- A Jacksonville, Fla., couple who kept 170 feral cats face sanctions and fines, officials say.
Linda Weinberger, 71, told authorities she and her husband, Henry, 69, spent thousands of dollars on food and veterinary bills for the animals but still could not keep up with them.
"This all started with a wonderful feral cat named Benny" in 1990, Weinberger told The Florida Times-Union. "Our plan was to have them all spayed and neutered and inside where they would be safe," she said.
The Weinbergers surrendered the cats from their multiple properties after neighborhood complaints in Jacksonville and Middleburg. Nearly 70 ill cats were not eligible for adoption and were euthanized, said Scott Trebatoski, division director of Jacksonville Animal Care and Protective Services. The remaining 100 cats might be adopted.
A 20-year neighbor on Crumpet Court told officials the couple came once or twice a day to feed "their babies." Another neighbor on Steeplechase Lane complained of allergies. "I couldn't go outside to my pool without seeing 10 to 15 cats in my yard," he said.
Jason Teal of the city's General Counsel's Office said no criminal charges are expected, but fines up to $500 per violation or sanctions prohibiting keeping animals could be imposed.
