Two months later, Haven Acres cats up for adoption

Today file photo/ Nearly 700 cats were seized from Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary in High Springs over a two day period in June.

Alachua County authorities are reporting that Alachua County Animal Services and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) can now begin the placement of the Haven Acres cats, following the surrender of the cats by Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary.

"It was only a matter of time before we got the cats," states David Flagler, Alachua County Animal Services Director. "We are excited to enter this new phase with the cats, we are disappointed that the cats had to spend two months in cages while the Sanctuary owner's came to this decision."

On June 7 and 8 of this year, Alachua County Animal Services, with the assistance of several local and national organizations seized nearly 700 live cats from the Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary in High Springs.

The seizure was part of a criminal investigation and in response to concerns of alleged hoarding, said Flagler. Animal Services was tipped off in late May when a person wanting to drop off a cat at the sanctuary became concerned upon seeing the conditions of the animals there, Flagler said.

The County Commission had restricted the Sanctuary to a maximum of 200 cats, and the seizure was touted as one of the largest cat hoarding cases in the United States.

Most of the cats had been kept in pens scattered across the eight-acre property, but some were kept inside a home and elsewhere. There were deceased cats found, including some in a refrigerator and at least one in a cage.

Specific adoption events have not yet been scheduled, but residents will soon have an opportunity to adopt these cats said county officials.