65 cats removed from Edgartown home, breeder facing federal charges

EDGARTOWN, Mass. — On Wednesday afternoon, the Animal Rescue League and animal control authorities removed 65 cats from an Edgartown home.

After executing a search warrant, officials found Jennifer Winsper, 48, the cat breeder, had been keeping the cats in dangerous and inhumane conditions.

Winsper is being charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty. The cats have been transferred to the ARL’s care and will receive veterinary care in the next few weeks.

Back in 2019, the ARL had inspected the home after complaints alleged that sick cats were being sold off the island. A similar complaint was filed with Edgartown Animal Control in late June 2020.

Following the most recent complaint, animal control then inspected the home again and determined the conditions in the home were not suitable for the cats and were dangerous to the animals.

A search warrant was then issued so authorities could go inside the home and seize the cats.

Conditions inside the building where the cats were being kept had poor air quality, an overwhelming odor of animal waste and it was incredibly hot and humid.

“We are very appreciative of the strong partnership we have with the Animal Rescue League of Boston,” said Edgartown Police Chief Bruce McNamee. “Their resources and expertise are invaluable to a small police department, especially one out here on Martha’s Vineyard, in cases like these.”

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for alerts on breaking news stories like this one.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter.

Watch Boston 25 News NOW