PORT ANGELES — Cats confiscated from a woman who had about 31 of them in her mobile home can be adopted by others if she doesn’t pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, a Superior Court judge ruled Monday.
Superior Court Judge Ken Williams determined that cats previously owned by Julie Yu, 52, could be offered for adoption beginning Wednesday, unless she pays the costs associated with boarding, medicating and treating the cats.
The cats were seized from Yu’s Port Angeles home on Oct. 10.
Yu faces trial on March 27 on three felony counts of first-degree cruelty and five misdemeanor counts of second-degree cruelty.
The Clallam County Humane Society and the All Animal Veterinary Clinic have been caring for the cats.
Scott Chandler, director of the humane society, estimated expenses for boarding and caring for Yu’s cats at the society’s shelter to be at least $132,697.
No estimate was available from the clinic.
The cats had been held pending Yu’s trial.
Williams had ruled March 10 on a civil petition from the humane society and the clinic that the cats could be offered for adoption once Yu had been given 10 days to pay the costs of their care.
Because of the pending criminal matter, he had to rule again — and said that his previous ruling would stand.
Defense attorney Jonathan Feste argued that the current condition of the five cats for which the misdemeanor charges were filed — such as comparing past weight to present weight — could be used as evidence in the trial.
Williams said that those animals could either be detained at one of the locations or tracked to where they will be housed.
“I would suggest that as soon as possible, Miss Yu find a veterinarian to examine the cats in their current condition if you feel their current condition will be evidentiary,” Williams said.
“I will allow that on Wednesday, the cats may be adopted out or Miss Yu may simply pay for the cats.”
Port Orchard attorney W. David Rovang also attended the hearing, and Feste advised the court that Rovang might be taking over Yu’s defense.
The felony charges each carry maximum penalties of five years in prison and/or $10,000 fines.
The misdemeanors carry maximum 90-day jail terms, $1,000 fines, two years of parole and forfeiture of the animals.
Yu has been free on her own recognizance since her arrest.
About 36 cats are at the humane society and about eight remain at the clinic.
Ultimately, Chandler said he has discretion over who can adopt from the humane society.
“I will not be adopting any of these cats back out to her,” he said.
He said he hopes to find them good homes.
Adoption of a cat from the humane society costs $75.
Phone the shelter at 360-457-8206 or visit 2105 W. U.S. Highway 101.
