CLARK MILLS, N.Y — Just one week after the CNYSPCA seized 113 cats from Roberta Graziadei’s home in Millgate Meadows trailer park, the 54-year-old Clark Mills native is facing animal cruelty charges.
Graziadei, a former breeder of Ragdoll cats, was reportedly living in her roughly 1,400 square-foot home with all 113 cats and six or seven dogs, according to her neighbors.
Dorothy Gagnon, Graziadei’s neighbor, claims that while the neighborhood knew she owned animals, the extent was not known until they were seized on October 31st.
“We knew she had animals,” Gagnon said. “We were surprised by the number though.”
Gagnon added that the smell of urine and feces was clear coming from Graziadei’s trailer, but despite multiple complaints to the park’s management, no action was taken.
NCC News reached out to both Graziadei, Graziadei’s breeding company, and the park’s management for comment, but received no response.
Gagnon and other neighbors believe Graziadei had good intentions, but let the situation get out of hand.
“We’ve got a lot of feral cats in here,” Gagnon added. “She used to put cages out and catch them, then bring them to the Humane Society.”
Some residents of the park reported that Graziadei removed the flooring in her trailer–replacing it with pellets, woodchips, and cat litter in order to try and accommodate the felines.
Now, however, they are spending their days at the CNYSPCA in Mattydale until they are medically cleared and ready to be adopted.
That does not appear to be a tall task, however, as the office has already closed the application process due to the volume of applications received.
SPCA officials also added that the level of donations they’ve seen over the past week has been unprecedented and hope that the awareness these cats have brought to the office will lead to some of their other animals finding permanent homes as well.
