Nearly 100 Animals Seized from Orange County Home Amid Animal Cruelty Charges

Horrific Animal Conditions Discovered

• 💔 Investigators found nearly 100 animals, including dogs, cats, hamsters, birds, reptiles, and even a walabi, living in deplorable conditions in an Orange County home.
• 🤢 The residence was described as horrendous, with investigators noting that one could not walk through without stepping in waste, highlighting the severe neglect.

Multiple Seizures and Past Investigations

• 🐾 A total of 66 animals were seized in August, with an additional 18 animals removed last week during a search warrant execution.
• 🏡 This is not the first incident; dozens more animals were taken from the same location last year during a separate investigation involving the owner.

Owner's History and Current Charges

• ⚠️ The owner, Linda Hickey, was once a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, but her license has lapsed, and she is no longer permitted to take in wildlife.
• ⚖️ Hickey has been charged with animal neglect and animal cruelty in connection with the 2024 investigation, with charges pending for the recent case.

Animal Welfare and Future Care

• ✨ The seized animals are now being cared for at the Animal Nation Farm Sanctuary in South Salem, with hopes for adoption for some.
• 🏥 Animals like the walabi require specialized facilities or zoos due to their exotic nature, indicating the complexity of their care.
• 😔 The situation also highlights the living conditions of the owner and her family, who were residing in the same squalid environment.