donations needed in Maryland for shelter

Caroline Humane Society seeks donations for animals rescued from private shelter
From Staff And Wire Reports
Originally published May 6, 2003

DENTON - The Caroline County Humane Society issued a plea for donations yesterday after animal cruelty investigators seized about 300 cats and 17 dogs from a private shelter.

Officials at the county society said they had spent $5,000 in food and medicine for the animals since the weekend rescue, and received help from veterinarians and support staff sent by the Humane Society of the United States. The organization needed donations of towels, sheets, bleach, cat litter and disposable litter pans.

Linda Favre and Ernie Mills, owners of the private shelter near Denton, were charged with felony animal cruelty and released from custody on their own recognizance.

The county society's executive director, Traci L. Higdon, said about 60 other cats were found dead in the house, and the live ones were in poor health - many suffering from feline AIDS and leukemia. And those not seeming to have the fatal illnesses will need months of care and observation before they can be given a clean bill of health and put up for adoption.

Higdon said the shelter, known as Chubbers Animal Rescue, started out as a legitimate operation but became overloaded. The cats were roaming all over the two-story house and a side addition, she said.

Officers from Caroline County Animal Control, the Sheriff's Department, the Department of Natural Resources and Maryland State Police wore hazardous material gear and respirators as they investigated conditions in the shelter, spending nearly 12 hours documenting and gathering animals at the home, according to the Caroline County state's attorney's office.

To make a donation or to offer assistance, contact Traci Higdon at 410-820-1600.


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