Calicivirus, not known to affect humnas, is characterized by upper respiratory symptoms, pneumonia, oral ulceration (sores in the mouth), and occasionally arthritis. It is a fairly mild flu-like condition and rarely causes serious complications.

Calicivirus is part of the feline upper respiratory infection (URI) complex, a group of viral and bacterial infections that cause discharge from the eyes and nose.

Dr. Murarka, head veterinarian at the shelter, told the Clarion News 80 to 90 percent of the cats had the calicivirus, and some had to be euthanized because of breathing problems.

The animals also suffer from a host of other ailments including skin wounds, abscesses, dehydration, malnutrition, dental problems, eye and bladder infections, and a host of other medical conditions that could have been resolved with proper husbandry,” said Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian for the ASPCA, who assisted at the raid.

Wendy Evans, manager of the shelter, said the cats are being checked for other illnesses including feline leukemia.

The raid, which followed a seven-month investigation, turned up the cats as well as dogs, chickens, a goat, and horses.

The Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary, a secluded 29-acre property in Tarentum, is owned by Linda Bruno, also known as Linn Marie, 45. Bruno was arrested on charges of animal cruelty and is now out on $50,000 bond.

A former humane officer is responsible for the raid after taking pictures of the bad conditions at the shelter with a hidden camera while volunteering there.

Cats had been sent there from several states because the shelter promised a long term home for cats that would otherwise have been euthanized at overcrowded shelters in their own cities.

Unlike shelters for dogs, cat shelters require no licensing, allowing something like this to happen said PSPCA director Howard Nelson.

Now the PSPCA is seeking donations and volunteers to help with the surviving cats. In a statement, the PSPCA asked for newspaper and pet carriers ranging in size from rabbit sized to medium dog carriers, to house the animals. Donations can be dropped off at the former Humane Society building in Shippenville.

The Clarion area-based Pet Adoption and Welfare Society, or PAWS, has donated a substantial amount of food, litter, and pads for the animals.

“When the owner of the Tiger Ranch goes to court, custody of the cats will be decided,” PAWS director Janet Ochs told the Clarion News. “The cats were at the ranch because there is no place else for them. The PSPCA has a monumental undertaking ahead of them to get the cats back into homes.”

Ochs pledged support to the shelter to aid in restoring the cats to health and hopefully to good homes.

“Even 200 cats is a lot to try to get out to new homes. They are dealing with twice that number,” Ochs concluded.