HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA – March 9, 2024 – Animal Care and Services has updated numbers of the animals recovered during the search warrant conducted on Thursday and Friday of this week.
On Thursday the 7th of March, Animal Control Officers obtained a search warrant for the property located on the 700 block of El Toro Drive. Officers initially seized thirteen dogs and estimated there was approximately 200 cats within all the different rooms in the home and in the nearby garage/workshop. Two individuals were arrested, and the home was red tagged, restricting anyone to enter the home due to the health safety concerns and electrical issues found inside.
Staff prepared to return the next day to recover the cats. They sought the assistance of several rescue organizations as well as Santa Clara County Animal Services and the Monterey County SPCA.
On Friday staff arrived at the home to find the suspect had returned and was inside the house. Staff members discovered many of the cats that were free roaming in the house, and not in cages, were no longer present. The cats might have escaped the home when the suspect had returned. She was removed from the location and staff began the recovery operation.
The rescue volunteers, neighboring agencies and Hollister Animal Care staff processed the home and recovered 13 dogs, 65 live cats and 31 deceased cats. Two of the cats were rushed to the veterinary hospital for treatment. Several other cats appear to be feral and had escaped the confinement. Our staff will plan to work with our local nonprofit organizations to attempt to trap any remaining cat from that location.
The following animal rescue groups collaborated with the team, Hitchcock Road Animal Services, Monterey SPCA, Red Dog Ranch, and Wildlife Volunteer Deanna Barth. In addition to those groups, the following groups assisted and have taken in the rescued cats. Pet Friends, Heading Home, Joybound, Whiskers and Claws, Cat Crew. In addition, Marina Gordon also rescued cats.
It is routine for rescues organizations when intaking cats to read them for chips. If any cats are recovered with implanted chips, it will be the intention of all the rescue groups and animal control staff to return pets to their homes.
The Hollister Police Animal Care and Services team is extremely appreciative of the efforts by our local rescues and volunteers that have stepped forward to assist. This appears to the largest animal neglect case in history, within the city of Hollister.
The investigation is ongoing, and this case is being referred to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
Anyone interested in donating food or supplies for these rescued animals is encouraged to donate directly to the rescue organizations. However, the police department lobby will be open today between 2 pm and 4 pm for anyone wanting to donate. The supplies will be passed on to those rescue groups. The animal shelter is also able to take donations during business hours Monday through Friday at the shelter located at 1331 South Street.
