‘We had no choice;’ Dozens of cats seized from local animal sanctuary

TIPP CITY — Dozens of cats were seized from a rescue shelter in Miami County on Monday, according to a spokesperson from Miami County Animal Shelter.

As reported on News Center 7 at 5:30, Miami County animal control officers and the Miami County Sheriff’s Department executed a search warrant at Our Farm Sanctuary in Tipp City.

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Officials decided to search the property after receiving multiple complaints from current and past volunteers.

One volunteer described the sanctuary as having “filthy conditions, mice infestations, inappropriately sized cages for dogs and cats, poor air ventilation, strong odor, and many untreated medical conditions,” according to the search warrant obtained by News Center 7.

Animal control officers found over 100 cats in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions, according to a statement from the rescue.

Many of the cats had serious upper respiratory infections.

The statement said poor air quality prevented the animals from receiving proper medical care.

43 cats, volunteer waivers, medical records, cage cards, files, and dog adoption records were seized from the rescue, according to the inventory of the search warrant.

“We seized them because we were concerned about the medical condition of the cats and the immediate need that they had,” Miami County Animal Shelter Director Robert Craft said.

News Center 7 has learned over 100 cats met the criteria to be seized, but the shelter only had room for 43.

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“We would have liked to have taken more, but just due to the sheer number of cats that they have there, there’s just only so many that we can get in house,” Craft said.

The seized cats are now housed in a private section of the animal shelter as they are treated.

Craft said the sanctuary was under investigation after receiving similar complaints in May 2022 and August 2023.

Leaders with the shelter claim they have issued several warnings to the sanctuary, but Our Farm Sanctuary said that never happened.

“We have talked to them about, concerns over the past several years. So, yeah, I was I was just a little surprised to hear that,” Craft said.

The statement said charges are pending.

Co-founder of Our Farm Sanctuary Mitch Lear revoked his issued a statement regarding the response Monday evening.

“Our Farm Sanctuary was founded in 2018 with a mission: the care and feeding and placement of animals who have no other place to be. We take the sick and injured when no one else will.

This morning, without advance notice, we were surprised by Miami County Deputy Sheriffs and Animal Control personnel who served us with a warrant to search the farm premises. If there were problems with care, we would have known about it and already corrected without the intrusion of Miami County Animal Control.

We are uncertain why this warrant was served, why we were not contacted first, and why we were made to feel that we have done something wrong when strive to do everything right for these animals. We have been very successful in our mission. We have a wonderful reputation in the community and beyond. We are very proud of lives we've changed, both animal and human. Prior to this morning, we have received no complaints concerning the treatment of the animals under our care or the conditions of the farm.

Every animal who has left this property to go to a new home has been carefully prepared for their new life. When appropriate, they are spayed and neutered and given all their shots. Our Farm Sanctuary has seen significant growth in the last few years. Last year we adopted out over 500 cats and over 200 dogs. And we were voted Best of Dayton Animal Adoption Center for 2023. We want to continue to serve this community.

Tuesday evening, Lear revoked his above statement and issued a new one.

On Monday, July 15, 2024 I issued a statement to the media in response to the presence of Miami County Sheriff’s Department and Miami County Animal Control Officers at Our Farm Sanctuary.

The previous statement was illinformed [sic] and I apologize for expressing information that was not correct both about previous communication from Animal Control and their attempts to improve the care of animals in our facilities.

I also apologize to our volunteers who give so much to the animals in our care.

Miami County Animal Shelter officials said they will continue to work with Our Farm Sanctuary to improve the facility’s conditions and properly treat the remaining cats.

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Animal Shelter at animalshelter@miamicountyohio.gov.

We will continue to follow this story.

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