Wednesday, September 27, 2000

Twenty cats fit to be adopted

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Few survived in Ft. Thomas home

By Cindy Schroeder
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        FORT THOMAS — In the month since Campbell County's animal control officer began trapping felines near a cat-filled house on Scenic View Drive, about 20 have been fit for adoption.

        The others — too sick or malnourished to be saved — have had to be destroyed.

Corrine Penrod gives antibiotic to a cat at Fort Wright Pet Care and Surgical Center. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        Of those fit for adoption, 12 cats and kittens can soon be adopted from their temporary home at the Fort Wright Pet Care and Surgical Center.

        Scenic, a friendly, tiger-colored, adult cat also is up for adoption at the Campbell County Animal Shelter in Melbourne.

        Members of Animal Welfare of Northern Kentucky are appealing to the public to adopt the cats and to help defray the costs of their boarding and medical treatment, said Linda Rankin, a board member. Even with a discount from the vets in Fort Wright, she figures it will cost “thousands” to treat the rescued cats.

        Still, they are the lucky ones, the Fort Thomas animal activist said.

        “Most of them couldn't be saved,” said Tony Von Mason, Campbell County's animal control officer.

        In the past month, Mr. Von Mason and his wife, Colleen, have removed 74 live cats and 12 dead ones from the Scenic View Drive home and neighborhood of Bonnie Sarakatsannis, 69. They've also taken another eight cats from a Southgate condominium owned by Mrs. Sarakatsannis' son, Phillip, 31.

HOW TO HELP

To contribute to the treatment of the cats, or for information on adoptions, contact Animal Welfare of Northern Kentucky at P.O. Box 330, Independence, KY 41051, or call 244-1102. The voice mail is checked daily.

        Earlier this month, Fort Thomas police charged Mr. Sarakatsannis with felony criminal abuse after his mother was found lying in her garage with her hip broken, and her backside covered with bed sores. Authorities had to don protective gear to enter the feces- and urine-stained Scenic View Drive home occupied by dozens of felines.

        Mr. Sarakatsannis, who pleaded not guilty to criminal abuse of his mother, is free after posting 10 percent of his $25,000 bond.

        Mr. Von Mason also is recommending that police bring animal cruelty charges against the owner or owners of the cats. While no such charges have been filed, Fort Thomas Police said Tuesday that their investigation is continuing.

       

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