Kimberly K. Robinson faces 29 felony counts of animal cruelty.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
A 66-year-old Port St. Lucie woman was arrested Friday after 124 cats and kittens were rescued from a hoarding situation in her home.
Members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Kimberly K. Robinson after Port St. Lucie Police Department detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging her with 29 counts of cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony. Robinson was arrested in Indian River County on the outstanding warrant.
The arrest stems from an investigation that began on Oct. 13. Port St. Lucie Animal Control responded to a residence in the 2500 block of Southwest Warwick Street, east of Florida’s Turnpike, after concerns about the welfare of animals and unsanitary living conditions.
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Cat hoarding in Port St. Lucie.
Animal Control officers discovered more than 60 cats inside the residence. Officers observed extensive accumulations of animal feces and urine, an overwhelming ammonia odor, and numerous cats suffering from apparent untreated medical conditions.
Officers then made multiple visits to the residence and ultimately removed 124 cats, including newborn kittens, juveniles up to 1 year old and adult cats.
Animal Control removed the animals over three days.
The animals were divided between Animal Control and the Humane Society of St. Lucie County after Animal Control reached capacity.
PSLPD detectives reviewed Animal Control reports, veterinary medical records and other investigative documentation.
“Some were clearly showing symptoms of upper respiratory,” Sarah Wees, executive director of the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, earlier told WPBF. “The majority of them had ear mites. They were all covered in fleas. There were a couple that had open sores, from scratching at the flea, scratching at the ear mites and some other issues.”
Three pregnant cats gave birth shortly after being rescued, with one too weak to care for her kittens. Those newborns were rushed to an emergency foster home for round-the-clock care, while others remain at the shelter.
“We have kittens who are nursing on cats that may or may not be their mom because we really can’t tell who belongs with whom because they were all in the same house together,” Wees said.
The Humane Society is receiving assistance from American Humane, a national organization that supports local communities during large intake cases or natural disasters.
The Humane Society is seeking donations and volunteers to help care for the rescued cats and kittens.