Johnstown woman charged in hoarding case, 58 cats rescued

CAMBRIA COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Johnstown woman who allegedly kept 58 cats in a bedroom of a home that was described as an ‘extreme hoarding case’ is now facing charges.

Karen Turgeon, 67, was hospitalized due to her mental health and on March 8 the Humane Society Police Officer in Cambria County was contacted about a large number of abandoned cats, according to a criminal complaint. The cats were at Turgeon’s home on Krayn Road in Windber and the landlord was the one who contacted the humane society officer.

The landlord agreed to care for the cats until they could be safely removed from the property. On March 11, officers arrived at the property to remove the cats. Turgeon legally surrendered the cats to the humane society, according to court documents.

A total of 58 cats were removed from the property. All of the cats had been locked in a small bedroom of the home and were covered in urine and feces, according to the affidavit. The humane society officer noted that there was no litter box and that urine and feces covered the floors and walls. There was also no water and food for the cats.

Previous coverage on the rescued cats:

59 cats rescued from ‘extreme hoarding case,’ donations needed

59 cats rescued from Windber home

The Humane Society of Cambria County, the Central PA Humane Society, the Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh and Second Chance Strays all took in the cats from the hoarding situation.

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Turgeon is facing multiple charges of neglect of animals and cruelty to animals. She has a bail hearing scheduled for June 5.

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