LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Five of the 21 cats confiscated from a Sphynx breeder last week have died, the city of Henderson said. Separately, six were found dead inside the breeder’s freezer at her home.
Animal Protection Services says they seized the cats following an investigation into welfare concerns involving Sin City Sphynx. Officials are now confirming five of those cats have died.
The City of Henderson said the five kittens that died were so weakened by severe infections that they could not survive, even after receiving emergency veterinary care.
Investigation triggered by complaints
Animal Protection officials said numerous complaints since January triggered the investigation. The complaints range from severe animal health and living issues to business disputes and kittens dying shortly after purchase.
Breeder Shanti Cloonan is the subject of an active investigation.
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Infections found in the home
According to Henderson Animal Control, the kittens were suffering from a combination of viral, fecal and bacterial infections inside Cloonan’s home. Test results confirmed the kittens had Chlamydia felis, calicivirus, mycoplasma, Bordetella bronchiseptica. and Tritrichomonas foetus.
Henderson Animal Control confirmed to FOX5 that five kittens were so severely ill that they died following the seizure.
“When the kittens came into our care, some of them were so sick that they didn’t even make it 24 hours past their initial impound,” Henderson Animal Control said.
One of the cats seized was Phoebe, an intact female Cloonan used for breeding, according to Henderson Animal Control. Officials said she was severely overbred and now has only one eye. They said an infected eye was removed before she was impounded because Cloonan failed to get her treated for active infections.
Charges still withheld
The exact details of the charges and the search at Cloonan’s home are still being withheld as the investigation continues.
The surviving cats will go to rescue partners. Because they face lifelong, contagious illnesses, potential adopters must pass a strict screening process.
Permit expired in August
Cloonan’s breeder permit expired on Aug. 5 of this year, officials said. Animal Protection says more people are coming forward reporting sick kittens or ones that have already died.
Officials are urging anyone buying from breeders to do their due diligence first: demand complete medical records, confirm the breeder holds an active license with animal control, and call the veterinarian listed by the breeder to verify their reputation.
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