JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Elise Perkins, who is dedicated to taking care of cats, was devastated to see undercover video recorded by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals at Caboodle Ranch, a so-called cat sanctuary in Madison County.
"It's horrific," Perkins said. "It's my worst nightmare come true. It's what I have seen."
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Troubled but not surprised by the ill cats, Perkins said she's planning to be part of a class action lawsuit against Caboodle's owner, Craig Grant.
Grant pleaded not guilty Tuesday to multiple animal cruelty charges. He's continuing to fight for custody of nearly 700 cats that were stripped from his care by deputies.
"They really need to be at the ranch where they're happy," Grant said of the cats.
Perkins hopes that never happens.
She started a website to document what she calls evidence, gathering names for the suit that the cats' former owners intend to file.
"Our goal is to make sure Grant never owns cats again and that he is held accountable for what he's done, either through the justice system, which will hopefully work its way through, and we want to get that 501.3c status revoked," Perkins said.
While she continues her research on the ranch, rescue teams say many of the cats removed in February are still being treated in Jacksonville.
They said Grant allowed "unsanitary conditions ... to spiral out of control."
Perkins said she won't give up her crusade until she knows for sure the cats will be OK.