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Sanctuary Owner: I Am Giving These Cats A Chance

TARENTUM (KDKA) ― Linda Bruno is facing 14 counts of animal cruelty after humane officers raided the Frazer Township cat sanctuary that she owns & runs last week; but today, she's speaking out against the charges.

Officials arrested Bruno after workers with Pennsylvania's SPCA raided the Tiger Ranch Cat Sanctuary last Thursday – saying they found "750 cats living in horrible condition"; but supporters have described her as a kind and caring person who became overwhelmed by the number of animals.

Speaking exclusively to KDKA today, Bruno told Andy Sheehan that she was on a Christian mission to save hundreds of stray and feral cats from certain death.

"We take in cats that others reject. We take in cats that others will not take," Bruno added. "I am giving these cats a chance that they otherwise wouldn't have. I am giving them a second and third chance of life."

Taking KDKA's cameras on a tour of Tiger Ranch, Bruno says she's been providing state-of-the-art nutrition and veterinary care. "Do I have medical supervision and vet guidance? Absolutely," Bruno asked and answered.

She's defending her business and its record. "Fourteen and a half years with no deficiencies from every organization in our local area. Why? If I was so horrible, why haven't they -- on surprise visits -- found issues? Not once. Not once in 14 years!"

In a statement released to KDKA, county humane officers who investigated the ranch in July of 2006 said: "All of the cats we saw were well cared for.. The sanctuary exceeds the minimum legal standards set by PA law. We saw no violations."

The criminal complaint against her, though, alleges that Bruno left sick cats to die without food or water in a "death room."

Bruno vehemently denies the allegation. "We keep the beds clean – the towels, the blankets, heating pads. If it's summer, it's air conditioning; if it's winter, it's heating. Food and water – we feed canned food."

Bruno, who does not believe in euthanasia, says the workers involved in last week's raid would not let her show them her veterinary records or talk to her veterinarian.

"The people that came here and violated, raped -- maniacally attacked us," she told KDKA. "I said, 'Stop. Let's talk to our vets.' 'No!' 'Let me show you the vet records.' 'No!' 'These cats are under treatment. Look at our thousand dollars worth of medicine.' They said, 'Sit in that chair or we'll taser you.'" 

But Linda Bruno isn't giving up without a fight.

"I will get those animals back," she vows. "I will build a Tiger Ranch back."

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