Forever homes: Animals from recent hoarding case now available for adoption – Douglas County Sentinel: Local News

The court appearances for a man and woman allegedly found hoarding 49 animals at a house in Douglasville produced mixed news.

While the charges against Catherine and Thomas Moore moved forward, the couple did relinquish the rights to the seized animals, meaning Douglas County Animal Services officials can now being trying to find the animals home.

Catherine Moore and Thomas Moore were in court on Thursday with Catherine Moore charged with 46 counts of keeping animals in inhumane conditions, 46 counts of keeping animals in unsanitary conditions, 12 counts of keeping animals without access to water, three counts of improper confinement and one count of failure to provide ample veterinary care for an animal.

Douglasville Municipal Court Judge Keith Rollins set a cash-only bond of $24,000, appointed her an attorney and set May 8 for a preliminary hearing. Thomas Moore plead not guilty and his next court appearance is set for May 29.

The animals, including 26 exotic birds, 16 dogs, six cats and a ferret, were taken into custody on March 13. The birds were in cages, but the cats, dogs and ferret were running loose in the house, officials said. In some places, there was an inch of excrement covering the floor and the stench was so strong those in neighboring homes could smell it. Officials said the couple came to the home at times to feed them and said they indicated that they were sheltering the animals there so that they wouldn’t be put down.

But since that day, the animals have been at the Douglas County Animal Shelter being evaluated, fed and nursed back to health.
Friday, Manager Frances McMillan said the shelter will open on Monday, a day that they are normally closed to help start the process of finding these animals permanent, healthy, clean homes.

via Forever homes: Animals from recent hoarding case now available for adoption – Douglas County Sentinel: Local News.