Animal sanctuary in 'terrible shape'
DU professor, students witness atrocities at Tiger Ranch
Maddy Lauria
Issue date: 3/27/08 Section: News
Last update: 3/25/08 at 8:54 PM EST
The sickest cats at Tiger Ranch were taken to a small plywood room in the corner of the garage that Bruno referred to as the "sick room" or the "isolation room." Urmann, Reid, DeForest and Morrow simply coined it the "death room." Highly contagious animals were secluded in the single-windowed room, which, by the time of the raid, was covered with soiled rags and excrements from the sick and dying animals.
Urmann did her best to contain her tears as she described volunteering in the garage while small black paws would reach through the crack between the cement floor and the closed door.
"For the rest of my life, I'm going to be scarred," Urmann said. "I learned that death cry and that look. I would hide and hold them and try to comfort them."
Urmann, as a former Butler County humane official, developed suspicions about the state of living at Tiger Ranch. She used to transport cats to and from the facility, but it wasn't until she was presented the opportunity to volunteer at the sanctuary last August that she realized the extent of the conditions at the facility. From volunteering on Saturdays over the course of several months, Urmann discovered "some pretty horrific things," she said. With Bruno's permission, Urmann gained unsupervised access to Tiger Ranch. She began taking a hidden button camera with her.
The video footage collected throughout Urmann's time as a paid volunteer will be offered as evidence at the preliminary trial on April 3; some has been broadcasted by local news outlets, including KDKA. However, Urmann has been heavily criticized because of the amount of time she spent as a paid volunteer. Urmann claimed she did everything she could, such as giving the cats extra litter boxes and blankets when she came, but if there were dead cats in the litter boxes, all she could do was remove them.
In various news reports, including KDKA broadcasts, Bruno claimed that Tiger Ranch was fully staffed with readily available veterinary care. She even offered her clients a large bound handbook on cat care for $20. But, Urmann stated that she could only account for about five volunteers, including herself. The volunteers played ignorant to the situation, Urmann explained, and are currently supporting Bruno and Tiger Ranch.
Urmann did her best to contain her tears as she described volunteering in the garage while small black paws would reach through the crack between the cement floor and the closed door.
"For the rest of my life, I'm going to be scarred," Urmann said. "I learned that death cry and that look. I would hide and hold them and try to comfort them."
Urmann, as a former Butler County humane official, developed suspicions about the state of living at Tiger Ranch. She used to transport cats to and from the facility, but it wasn't until she was presented the opportunity to volunteer at the sanctuary last August that she realized the extent of the conditions at the facility. From volunteering on Saturdays over the course of several months, Urmann discovered "some pretty horrific things," she said. With Bruno's permission, Urmann gained unsupervised access to Tiger Ranch. She began taking a hidden button camera with her.
The video footage collected throughout Urmann's time as a paid volunteer will be offered as evidence at the preliminary trial on April 3; some has been broadcasted by local news outlets, including KDKA. However, Urmann has been heavily criticized because of the amount of time she spent as a paid volunteer. Urmann claimed she did everything she could, such as giving the cats extra litter boxes and blankets when she came, but if there were dead cats in the litter boxes, all she could do was remove them.
In various news reports, including KDKA broadcasts, Bruno claimed that Tiger Ranch was fully staffed with readily available veterinary care. She even offered her clients a large bound handbook on cat care for $20. But, Urmann stated that she could only account for about five volunteers, including herself. The volunteers played ignorant to the situation, Urmann explained, and are currently supporting Bruno and Tiger Ranch.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 13
A M
posted 3/27/08 @ 12:50 PM EST
Finally, an article that is completely objective yet completely truthful at the same time! This is the first article I have read that really made sense to me and truly "got" the story. (Continued…)
June S Ware
posted 3/29/08 @ 10:08 PM EST
This is becoming more and more prevelant.Somethings are being done, but not enough. We must show the public that these people cannot get away with these situations. (Continued…)
zeekers
pam
posted 4/01/08 @ 10:34 PM EST
I have noted this and will forward to other freind. We need to put a stop to animal abuse
mike downs
posted 4/02/08 @ 3:45 PM EST
animal abuse by ANY means is horrible
Linda
posted 4/03/08 @ 12:22 PM EST
i have been asked to sign a petition in her defense. i needed the whole truth behind the story.
Lydia Selwood
posted 5/20/08 @ 12:30 AM EST
IF this article were objective, the following statement would NOT have been written:
"Disease was prevalent on the site, including symptoms of virulent systemic calicivirus, which is similar to Ebola in humans, and characterized by inflammation of blood vessels and possibly internal hemorrhaging with a mortality rate of 40-60 percent in adult felines,"
Not only is FCV Common, OFTEN the CATS ARE A-SYMPTOMATIC! Most recover and become carriers. (Continued…)
jasonglades
Management Paper
posted 2/17/09 @ 11:46 AM EST
"Tiger Ranch became the perfect niche for her," nice expression of Dr. Carolyn DeForest.
Courtney Bailey
posted 2/24/09 @ 1:15 PM EST
A think this new storie have some mistakes.
Amanda Smith
posted 2/25/09 @ 7:24 AM EST
I like articles like this. Great Article! Thanks!
Mandy Ackers
posted 3/05/09 @ 3:00 AM EST
Thanks to author! I like articles like this about title , very interesting.
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