Posted September 29, 2010 by Ray Harkins
In July, PETA was notified of Sacred Vision Animal Sanctuary (SVAS), an animal “rescue” located near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Reports indicate that as many as 300 cats and several dogs at this facility are regularly deprived of veterinary care and kept in two filthy, severely crowded storage units that are disease-ridden and that reek of ammonia from the animals’ accumulated waste. Cats at SVAS are stacked on top of one another in tiny wire crates and have no room to stretch or walk around—let alone exercise. Weeks’ worth of evidence makes it clear that SVAS operator Elizabeth Owen does not keep up with cleaning tasks. Litterboxes and cages at the facility regularly overflow with feces and contaminated food. Many of the animals at SVAS suffer from a wide array of debilitating, painful illnesses and dangerous parasites.
Several cats have advanced infections that severely limit the animals’ ability to eat, breathe, and/or see. Sick cats are caged with or next to uninfected cats and allowed to roam freely through the premises, further spreading contagious diseases and what is already a severe flea infestation that’s been allowed to worsen. According to SVAS’ own website, some of these animals have been constantly caged for their entire lives.
While county officials delay, animals continue to suffer. Citations were issued, and even though county officials later told PETA that Owen was found guilty on these charges, court records indicate that the case was dismissed! A jury trial is now pending on more recent charges.
Please contact Horry County officials and let them know that there is no justification for any further delays—the animals at SVAS have suffered long enough. Urge officials to do the right thing—ask them to remove all animals from SVAS’ custody without delay and to prosecute the parties responsible for the animals’ suffering.
peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
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Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
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712 days ago
0
Do remember that most hoarders are ill in the head. Most don’t have the intention of making the animals suffer for some sick pleasure, like some other people do. Usually they do realize that their animals are in bad shape, but they won’t go to vets because they fear that someone will take the animal(s) away from them. I don’t know what the condition is called.
964 days ago
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Hey, im from SC and i’ve heard of this place.
964 days ago
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Thank you – I’ve signed! I invite everyone to sign at Change.org, too:
http://animals.change.org/petitions/view/demand_immediate_action_at_south_carolina_hoarding_facility
964 days ago
0
This is just sick. The owner should be jailed.