Cats from Spokane Valley cruelty case available

A Spokane Valley homeowner whose 31 cats were seized last week has been charged with animal cruelty.

Officials say Julianna O. Bauer cooperated with the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service and relinquished the felines, which were seized Sept. 15 after animal protection officers said they found the cats in horrible conditions.

Officers wore protective suits and respirators while searching Bauer’s home at 4616 N. Larch Road for the cats.

Bauer faces two counts of second-degree animal cruelty and one count of confinement in an unsafe manner.

Bauer’s cats had no major long-term health problems and are available for adoption, along with hundreds of other cats.

Forty-five cats were adopted last week at discount prices, but 118 were brought in, prompting SCRAPS to continue the special this week.

Through Saturday, adoption fees are $25 for one cat and $40 for two cats, including spaying or neutering, vaccines, microchips and licenses.

“We hope that our community will step up and start placing a higher value on cats as pets,” said Jackie Bell, SCRAPS development corrections.

Local shelters took in more than 11,650 cats last year – an increase of nearly 500 in 2008, Bell said.

“We need to turn that trend around.”