Bertha Rand, Winnipeg's Cat Lady

[Catty1]

In 1965 in Manitoba, Canada, hoarding of any kind got little attention. There were no TV shows about it; Bertha was seen as an anomaly and feisty at that, so in an odd way she was a bit of a hero and even admired.

Have a read of this short article: http://archive.macleans.ca/article/1...ng-in-st-james

It was written as the bylaw was about to be debated and amended. A number of neighbours were naturally upset about all the cats and kittens. The actions several of them took were beyond reprehensible.

If only a shelter had been built in St. James in Winnipeg.

[cats4ever]

If this article is about what people did to the cats, I won't read it. Sorry!

[Catty1]

If this article is about what people did to the cats, I won't read it. Sorry!

The whole article isn't about that, Heidi.

In any case, her nephew did find homes for the healthy ones after her death. I hope the others were taken to the Humane Society.

[phesina]

I also don't want to read anything the least bit descriptive about any "beyond reprehensible" actions those alleged-humans did to the cats. Breaks my heart just learning of such things going on, without getting any details.

Back in 1965 animal-hoarding of any kind got next to no attention here, either. Animals were property, period, in the eyes of the law.

I'm glad the nephew found homes for the healthy cats, and I also hope the others were taken to the Humane Society or whatever reputable shelter there might have been available then, I hope something or some people, anyway.