Moreno Valley woman who housed cats in poor conditions receives probation

A 45-year-old woman who kept dozens of cats in inhumane conditions at her Moreno Valley home was sentenced Wednesday, July 8, to three years felony probation.

Kristen Gotangco pleaded guilty in March to 17 counts of felony animal cruelty for mistreating the felines, and Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bambi Moyer imposed the stipulated sentence.

According to sheriff’s officials and Moreno Valley Animal Control, nearly 100 adult felines and kittens were discovered on July 1, 2019 in the defendant’s home in the 22000 block of La Jolla Circle, near TownGate Memorial Park.

A neighbor had complained of an extremely foul odor. Cats were found caged in filthy conditions with some suffering life-threatening health complications, investigators said.

About 20 felines were either dead or in such dire shape they were euthanized, an animal shelter official said at the time. Some of the cats were too feral to be placed at the shelter and diverted to a specialized animal-care facility.

Two dogs were also seized.

Some of the cats and kittens were rehabilitated and put up for adoption last year.