The owner and director of Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue are facing felony animal neglect charges after authorities discovered 47 cats living in deplorable conditions at a private residence. The property, located on the 1400 block of Peters Creek Road Northwest, revealed two dead cats and seven others requiring emergency veterinary care.
Animal Warden McKenna Beaman described the scene, saying, “We could smell it once we got to the front porch, and it was… powerful. The longer we were there, opening doors in and out, the smell began to permeate the surrounding area.”
The source of the odor was traced to the home housing Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Kayla Campbell, the owner, and Ian Yaeger, the director, have both been charged with two felony counts of animal neglect.
Lt. Drake clarified, “We received a tip from one of our professional organizations, not in Roanoke, expressing concern about the health and safety of the cats.”
When investigators arrived to conduct a welfare check, the owners denied them entry. However, a 20-minute video, posted shortly afterward on the rescue’s social media, offered the public and authorities an inside look at the conditions, which became crucial evidence in the investigation.
Lieutenant William Drake from the Roanoke Police Department remarked, “Our team spent a significant amount of time reviewing the video and found that, while some of the cats had special needs, many others were clearly in need of medical attention.”
The video helped police obtain a search warrant, which allowed them to rescue and remove the cats. This is not the first time Nomadic Paws Kitten Rescue has made the news; on New Year’s Eve, a fire broke out at a home connected to the organization in Vinton.
As of now, 38 cats have been taken to Angels of Assisi, with six more en route. One cat remains in emergency care. Both Yaeger and Campbell are scheduled to appear in court on May 6 at 2 p.m.
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