107 cats seized from Myrtle Beach area shelter are euthanized

More than 100 of the 237 cats seized from Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary this week have been euthanized, Horry County authorities said Thursday.

The county said a licensed veterinarian put down 107 cats because they suffered from multiple medical conditions including severe infestations of herpes and ringworm, anal maggots, severe gum disease and missing teeth, tumors/lesions, multiple abdominal abscesses, seizures, and cracked and bloody pads on their feet.

"Each cat had multiple problems," said county spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier.

The county is treating 101 of the cats and returned 29 to sanctuary owner Elizabeth Owen.

"It's very sad. I think for many of the cats, euthanasia was inevitable," said Daphna Nachminovitch, vice president of cruelty investigations for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. "We hope that the community remembers that the animals had to be put out of their misery because of long-term neglect. These aren't conditions that occur overnight. It's tragic that not all of the cats survived, but the county was simply doing the best it could. This was a result of Ms. Owen's actions and no one else's."

Owen could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

The 101 cats still in county care also have medical issues such as runny noses and eyes, ulcers, hair loss and are underweight, but are being treated with strong antibiotics.

Nachminovitch said she hopes the community will open its heart and adopt the cats as they recover.

According to a news release sent Thursday afternoon, the remaining cats are being cared for in quiet, clean, disinfected cages at a special shelter set up for them in Socastee.

"They have plenty of food and are playing," the news release states.

The county also returned one dog to Owen.

Horry County took the cats after a judge granted a temporary order for emergency care because authorities were concerned for the cats' welfare.

Owen, founder of the nonprofit sanctuary on Forestbrook Road, appeared before Conway Magistrate Bradley Mayers for a hearing with her attorney, Greg McCollum, on Tuesday. She did not speak during or after the hearing except to say her cats were cared for properly.

Owen was charged with improper care and treatment of animals in September after Horry County police officers went to the no-kill rescue to investigate complaints regarding their care.

Last week, officials with PETA dropped off evidence including a 42-page complaint against Sacred Vision, to the solicitor's office, said Michael O'Sullivan, an assistant solicitor prosecuting the case. He said additional criminal charges could be filed against Owen.

A date for her trial has not been scheduled.

PETA officials said that for five days a week over six months the organization had someone working undercover as a volunteer at the sanctuary. People who want to donate items should contact the Horry County Animal Care Center for information at 915-5172.