Dozens Of Caged Felines, Some Dead, Found In MoVal Home

MORENO VALLEY, CA — Dozens of caged cats stuffed inside a Moreno Valley house, where a number of felines were found dead, were rescued Monday, and their owner was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty. Sheriff's officials say the smell was so foul coming from the home, they believed a dead person may have been inside.

The cats — and two dogs — were discovered when Riverside County sheriff's deputies conducted a welfare check on the suspect at a property in the 22000 block of La Jolla Circle, near TownGate Memorial Park, according to the Moreno Valley Department of Animal Services.

"Upon arrival, deputies smelled a foul odor, and believed there was possibly a deceased person inside the residence," sheriff's Sgt. William Stens said in a news release. "Deputies entered the residence and discovered numerous cats were being hoarded within the residence."

Deputies took the home's resident, 44-year-old Kristen Gotangco, into custody and she was jailed in Banning on charges of animal cruelty, booking records showed. Her bail was set at $600,00 and she remained locked up as of Tuesday afternoon.

An estimated 100 cats and two dogs were recovered from the home, Stens said. Officials said 18 felines were either found dead or euthanized.

"Our first priority is to see that these animals get the proper medical care they deserve," agency Director Steve Fries said. "Ultimately, we want to see that each of these cats and dogs ends up adopted into loving homes."

Most of the pets were confined to cages, officials said, adding that due to the number of cats in need of medical attention, veterinary technicians at the city shelter were overwhelmed, and some of the felines were transferred to a standby treatment facility.

Some of the cats may be eligible for adoption in two weeks, according to animal services.

— City News Service contributed to this report