A Victoria-area woman has been charged in a disturbing case of animal cruelty, following a BC SPCA investigation. Cathy Park of Sooke has been charged under the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals Act after the SPCA removed five deceased cats, allegedly killed by Parks, from her home in May 2013.

“The next day we also removed 11 house cats, six feral cats and one dog from the property,” says BC SPCA constable Erika Paul. The 11 house cats and dog were cared for at the Victoria SPCA until new loving homes were found for them. The six feral cats were examined, treated and placed on a working farm.

“Park was a self-proclaimed ‘cat rescuer’,” says Paul. “She decided that she didn’t want to keep the animals but she always had the option to surrender them to the Victoria SPCA – we are always there as that safety net for vulnerable animals. It is so heartbreaking to think that these poor animals suffered and died so needlessly.”

Park makes her first court appearance on Jan. 9, 2014 at the Western Communities Courthouse.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a not-for-profit organization reliant on public donations. Our mission is to protect and enhance the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in B.C.