Rescued cat count reaches 137 at Glen Cove hoarder house
The SPCA and rescue volunteers are trying to capture them so they get the medical attention they need.
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The number of cats continues to grow as animal rescuers keep working on the house in Glen Cove. So far, 137 cats and 2 dogs have been rescued.
The Nassau County SPCA and other rescue volunteers have been trying to capture and trap them so they can get the medical attention they need.
Rescuers say they estimate there are 20 to 30 more cats inside the house.
About 50 of the cats have gone to Cove Animal Rescue. The sickest cats have gone to the vet for emergency care. The rest are being temporarily housed at Glen Cove City Hall.
Police say the conditions were terrible inside, and the house has been condemned.
Rescuers say it’s a long process to get the cats out of the house. Many of them are living in the walls and in the ceiling.
Police tell News 12 that the number of cats continues to grow as multiple litters of kittens have been born over the past few days.
“It appears as if the owner of the home was breeding the cats,” said Brian Wasserman, a detective with the SPCA. “And some of the cats seem like they’re inbred. We’ve seen some of the kittens that have been born that have been deformed because the breeding is just out of control.”
Police arrested Olena Horbatko on Monday after her 18-year-old daughter reported unsafe living conditions for her and her 12-year-old sister.
Horbatko was charged with reckless endangerment, child endangerment and animal cruelty.
“It's honestly insane. It's messed up,” said Yahaira Fidhel, of Glen Cove. “I just think it's just cruel to the animals.”
Neighbors say it’s not all that surprising, and they’ve seen cats roaming the area for years.
“I'd see a lot of them,” said Nicolai Glouchkov, of Glen Cove. “But you wouldn't really think that it would be like over 100 plus in the house.”
Police say once the cats are healthy, their goal is to find them all homes.
