STUART, Fla. — Martin County deputies rescued dozens of cats Monday from a Stuart home that Sheriff John Budensiek described as the worst animal hoarding case he has seen in the county.
The Martin County Sheriff's Office, Animal Control and Martin County Fire Rescue responded to a home in the 11500 block of Southwest Meadowlark Circle after an investigation into reports that a U.S. Postal Service employee had been collecting feral cats along her mail route.
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Budensiek identified the homeowner as 77-year-old Gail Giustino. Investigators believe she was not stealing pets but was gathering feral cats and bringing them home.
Authorities obtained a search warrant after Giustino allegedly refused to allow Animal Control officers inside the home during multiple attempts over the past week.
When deputies entered the house Monday, they found what the sheriff described as horrific living conditions. The home had no working air conditioning, little to no ventilation and, in some areas, up to a foot of animal feces covering the floor. Budensiek said the odor was overwhelming, and Martin County Fire Rescue's Hazardous Materials Team had to ventilate the home before rescuers could safely enter.
Giustino told deputies she believed there were at least 70 cats inside the home, all kept in cages. Authorities believe there could ultimately be 70 to 80 animals or more, including several dogs, though an exact count had not been completed Monday evening.
"We believe that there could be north of 70 or 80 animals that are stored in this house behind us now," Budensiek said.
The rescued animals are being taken to the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, which is expected to rely on foster families and volunteers to help care for them. Authorities said they are still evaluating the animals' medical conditions.
Budensiek said Giustino was arrested on 2 misdemeanor animal cruelty-related charges, though investigators said they could have pursued significantly more charges.
"If we believe she was truly an animal abuser ... we would try to bury her under the jail," Budensiek said. "We truly believe that Gail thinks she's doing the right thing, but she's doing it the wrong way."
The sheriff said the criminal charges were filed primarily to obtain the search warrant, remove the animals from the home and prevent Giustino from acquiring additional animals while she seeks help through the mental health court system.
Officials said Animal Control had previously cited Giustino dozens of times for animal-related violations about 10 years ago, but they believe she gradually returned to hoarding animals after complying with earlier code enforcement requirements.
"This is the worst animal hoarding case that I've seen here in Martin County," Budensiek said.
