How Caboodle Ranch Changed Nanette Entriken’s Life: Conclusion

Five years ago, following the death of a friend who owned 30 kitties, Nanette desperately needed permanent homes for them. After searching extensively to locate placements for the cats, Nanette learned about Caboodle Ranch.

She drove down from her home in North Carolina to visit the Caboodle Ranch and was so impressed with the compassionate care the cats were receiving, that after Craig Grant, the owner of the sanctuary offered to take in the 30 homeless kitties, Nanette became involved with Caboodle Ranch as a volunteer.

Nanette eventually joined the Ranch staff so when she and her husband separated, she decided to follow her bliss, moving down to Lee. It was then that she embarked upon a life-changing journey to help take care of the Caboodle cats she had grown to know and love.

But shortly after she and her kitties had just about settled into their new home, her dream turned into a nightmare. Out of the blue, based upon PETA’s documentation of the alleged neglect and deplorable conditions under which the Caboodle Cats were living,  the ranch was raided. Hundreds of cats were seized; Grant was arrested on charges of animal cruelty, leaving Nanette reeling in disbelief.

Law enforcement authorities and ASPCA officials promised Nanette that since her family cats all lived indoors,  just because they were on Craig Grant’s property, none of them would be impounded. But two days following the raid, at 8:00 a.m., she was awakened by sheriff's officers pounding on her door armed with a search warrant and the authority to seize her family cats. 

With permission, Nanette Entriken

Coal, while being held at a shelter in Jacksonville.

Nanette was forced to leave her home while the authorities took her cats, and her laptop as evidence. She and her sister stood in shock, still dressed only in their nightgowns.  When they asked why they had to leave, the reply was "because we have a warrant that says so."

For many long weeks following, Nanette could not see or even find out about her cats. Without her “babies”, Nanette’s heart was breaking. She longed to be with her beautiful, beloved cats. But when she inquired about when they would be returned, the State’s attorney told her, “You are not getting your cats back for a very long time; they are state’s evidence!” Nanette began to think she might never get her cats back again.

But Nanette is a fighter! Her courage and love for her cats spurred her on. With her inner strength combined with the support of hundreds of devoted friends from all across the country, Nanette finally found an attorney who was more than willing and eager to help her.

Many hearings were postponed, put off and rescheduled. It was an incredibly frustrating time for her. But, finally early last week she was able to see her cats at the shelter in Jacksonville. Nanette said, "They would not let me touch them. I could not open the cage to hold them.”

Happily there is a joyful ending to the months of uncertainty and emotional turmoil which Nanette was forced to endure.  On Friday, May 4, Nanette won her battle triumphantly, at a civil hearing. In two weeks Nanette Entriken will have her cats returned to where they rightfully belong; in the arms of their devoted guardian.

Present in the Courtroom was Jan, a friend of Nanette’s. She reported the ASPCA will spay three of Nanette’s cats who were too young to undergo the surgery at the time of their seizure, (at no cost to her) and as an added bonus will also microchip all of her cats.

They say, “The truth will set you free”. In the case of Nanette’s cats, I can’t think of a more appropriate statement. What do you think? Share in a comment.