LAKE NORMAN, N.C.,None — Several volunteers from a local cat rescue organization have severed ties with the group because they're concerned for the health of the cats and the financial stability of the organization.
Friends for Life of Lake Norman, led by Jan Scere, has been around for 11 years and has created thousands of adoption success stories. However, some members said they started becoming concerned when they noticed several sick cats.
"We started noticing that Jan's cats were coming in very sick," former member Rick Wells said. "Runny eyes, noses, coughing, and wheezing, sometimes blood, and lots of diarrhea."
Animal Control officers said they, too, were concerned. In August, they were called to a home on Meridian Street in Cornelius, which they said Scere was renting at the time. Officers think dozens of cats were living in poor conditions.
"They were obviously living in feces and urine," Capt. Jeff Ramsey said. "They contract diseases, fleas, things of that nature."
Ramsey said he could smell the stench from about 40 feet outside the home. No charges were filed because police did not find any cats inside, he said. Police said they think Scere removed the cats when she learned that Animal Control officers were coming to the home.
Eyewitness News spoke with a number of people who raved about Scere and her love for her cats. Petco, which partners with Friends for Life of Lake Norman, said her cats are in exceptional health. Scere was also featured in an Eyewitness News story last year when she was honored for winning a 9 Who Care award for her work in the community.
Scere told Eyewitness News that her cats are healthy, adding that she thinks a few disgruntled volunteers are trying to sabotage the good she does.
But those volunteers said they are worried about the health of cats that have not been adopted yet.
"She has a good heart for animals, but unfortunately, if you don't say no because there's overcrowding, we're going to get these animals sick if we continue to bring on animals," Wells said.
Eyewitness News also heard from other volunteers and one veterinarian who have cut ties with Scere because of concerns about the health of the cats and finances of her group.