Big cat sanctuary 'forced animals to live in squalor' and denied proper vet care
The founder of a big cat sanctuary has been banned from owning animals after a police investigation uncovered horrific conditions. Terrence Moore, 78, of Codicote Road, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, forced animals at the Cat Survival Trust to live in squalor, leading to many being euthanised as a result of neglect.
Moore was convicted of animal welfare charges related to a wildcat named Hamish, a Bengal cat named Jasmine, a jungle cat named Lily, and an unnamed caracal (medium-sized wild cat) following a three-week trial at Albans Crown Court last year.
He was cleared of eight counts, namely two against a snow leopard, a jaguar, an amur leopard, a Eurasian lynx kitten, a hybrid cat, geese, and a serval.
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The Cat Survival Trust in Welwyn housed many different species of cats, many of which were rare and endangered. It mostly wasn't open to the paying public, but those who purchased a membership to the Trust were able to arrange visits to the site to view the cats.
Hertfordshire Constabulary began looking into the site in February 2022 following a tip-off from the National Wildlife Crime Unit. In July 2022, on the first of two visits, it was found Moore had not had a vet visit the site in a number of years, and that he often used a homeopathic product called Traumeel to treat some of his animals, which he claimed did not get sick.
This product is used for human use in cases of acute musculoskeletal injuries on unbroken skin, and was considered inappropriate to use on animals. In addition to this, detectives found food preparation and storage was not carried out hygienically, while the housing animals were kept in was inadequate or insecure.
The records were also described as a mess, and several animals were suffering from diseases for which Moore had not sought any veterinary care.
Police then seized 26 carcasses from freezers that were used to store animals for long periods of time instead of being dispatched for cremation.
The jury heard how, in the case of the dead animals, no records of deaths were seen so it is not known when or why other animals died or if any veterinary treatment was given, or if any investigation was carried out prior to or after the death of any of the animals.
Moore was also found guilty of seven counts of using an endangered animal species for commercial gain without a licence, and was cleared of four counts (puma, Jaguarundi, caracal and ring-tailed lemurs).
Moore used two websites to advertise days on which photographs could be taken at the site. These photograph days were described as unique opportunities to get close to the big cats and take photographs with or of them for a fee in the hundreds of pounds.
Using these specific animals for commercial gain is banned unless a certificate from the Animal and Plant Agency (APHA) is held, but Moore did not have any.
At a sentencing hearing in May last year Moore was banned from keeping animals for five years. This was suspended for a period of time to allow for as many of the remaining 28 animals to be rehomed as possible. In addition, he was ordered to pay £14,380 in fines and costs.
Hertfordshire Zoo, alongside The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, has stepped in to vaccinate, feed, clean, and care for the animals while seeking permanent homes for the majority of them. All licensable animals have now been removed the Cat Survival Trust.
Most animals moved to forever homes
Detective Constable Beth Talbot, from the North Herts Local Crime Unit and who led the investigation, said: "“I am pleased the jury reached a guilty verdict on a number of counts in what has been a complex and unique case.
“It is clear from the evidence that the Cat Survival Trust was poorly run. Terrence Moore knew how endangered these species were, understood their vulnerability to exploitation and should have been there to protect them. However, several animals at the site were in a sorry state and suffered at the hands of a man who should have looked after them.
“This case showed how Moore had a distaste for modern veterinary medicine and failed to hold accurate records of his animals, some of which face extinction in the wild. The sanctuary should have been a safe haven. I would also like to extend a thanks to the Royal Veterinary College who assisted in conducting post-mortem examinations on the animals as part of this case."
“I am pleased the vast majority of the remaining animals will now be able find a new forever home thanks to Hertfordshire Zoo and The Big Cat Sanctuary.”
Senior Crown Prosecutor in CPS Thames and Chiltern, Jan Muller, added: "Moore exploited some of the animals in his care, leaving them to suffer unnecessarily.
“Evidence showed him failing to source much-needed medical help for some of the big cats he was responsible for. These animals were forced to live in squalor and Moore neglected them to such an extent that some died from illnesses that could have been treated.
“Where there is evidence and it is in the public interest, we will not hesitate to prosecute people for offences like this.”
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