Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
100 Cats, 3 Ferrets Removed From LI Woman's Filthy Home
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 8, 2011
Modified Apr 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 6
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 8, 2011
Modified Apr 8, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A Glen Cove woman was arrested earlier this week after authorities found 100 cats and kittens, plus three ferrets, living in "inhumane" conditions in a Glen Cove, Long Island apartment. According to Newsday, Betty Bjorkman, 56, was hit with 103 counts of animal cruelty. Her lawyer said, "She was an animal lover. She cared for them. She always had the utmost respect for the animals and treated them properly," but a police detective said the apartment "needs to be condemned, gutted and started anew. Deplorable is the best word I can come up with."
Her landlord—who started eviction proceedings against Bjorkman because she wasn't paying rent—called the Animal Lovers League of Glen Cove because he hadn't seen his tenant and he was concerned about the animals (plus her apartment smelled). People wore hazmat suits to enter the apartment and rescue the animals—one shelter volunteer said that the cats and kittens all seemed very adoptable, but first they would be cleaned, given shots, and spayed/neutered.
The Glen Cove Animal Lovers League is accepting donations of cash, scoopable litter, and cat food.
Tagged
animal cruelty
betty bjorkman
cat
cat hoarding
cats
ferrets
glen cove
inhumane
kittens
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police responded to at the 53rd Street and 7th Avenue station in Manhattan.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 1:29 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .