Cat Ladies Society cancels participation in adopt-a-thon

Staff report

Youngstown

The Cat Ladies Society news conference to discuss the group’s participation in an adopt-a-thon was canceled Friday.

Jeff Bailey, a shelter employee, said the news conference was canceled late Thursday, and the society won’t participate in a weekend adoption drive at the Petco Store in Boardman.

Animal Charity removed more than 80 cats from the former Mahoning Avenue facility Sept. 15 after a three-month investigation into reports of sick cats and strong odors inside the shelter.

Bailey said Thursday that a news conference was set for Friday afternoon at Petco to let people know the group was given the go-ahead to put cats in the drive.

He said shelter owner Kimm Koocher got word Thursday from her attorney Damian Billak that they’d be allowed to reopen and participate in the drive. Bailey said he doesn’t know exactly what happened or why the plans changed.