Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – 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.  Specific adoption events have not yet been scheduled, but residents will soon have an opportunity to adopt these cats.

“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, 2011, Alachua County Animal Services, with the assistance of several local and national organizations seized 697 (live) cats from the Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary (The County Commission had restricted the Sanctuary to a maximum of 200 cats).  This seizure was touted as one of the largest cat hoarding cases in the United States.  Complaints of animal neglect prompted the investigation and seizure of the cats.

For more information, contact David Flagler, Alachua County Animal Services at 352-264-6890 or dflagler@alachuacounty.us.