Send this page to someone via email

A pet breeder has been charged after humane society officers removed 89 Maine Coon cats from a Calgary home.

Calgary Humane Society investigators were dispatched to what they called an “animal hoarding situation” last April.

READ MORE: Over 80 cats seized from Calgary home due to ‘illness, environmental conditions’

One of the dozens of Maine Coon cats seized from an alleged animal hoarder in Calgary. Calgary Humane Society

Officers determined that all of the cats needed to be removed due to environmental and medical concerns.

Story continues below advertisement

Ruth Sogz, who is 57, has been charged under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act with permitting animals to be in distress.

Facebook user Ruth Sogz posted this photo to her page in April. Global News

Brad Nichols, senior manager of animal cruelty investigations, says it is unusual to find so many cats in a residence.

He says it’s important that pet owners know their limits concerning space, time and finances.

“Over and above the environmental conditions, many of these cats were suffering from serious communicable disease,” he said Wednesday.

“Potential legal consequences aside, there have already been serious, irreversible consequences to the cats and the home.” Tweet This

READ MORE: Calgary woman fined $8K after her dog starved to death