ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A woman already facing charges for hoarding 180 cats in a Wildwood mansion is now at the center of a second animal hoarding case. Authorities say Elizabeth Fischer, recently arrested for elder financial fraud, has been found with dozens more cats at a new rental home in St. Louis County.
Fischer’s previous residence, a 6,000-square-foot mansion, was condemned in September 2024 due to extreme animal hoarding. Investigators said the home was destroyed by the conditions inside. Her elderly parents, who lived with her, were allegedly victims of financial abuse.
Now, just weeks after her arrest, officials say Fischer had relocated to a rental property — reportedly an Airbnb — where she began collecting cats again. The Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Task Force was alerted by federal authorities and rescued the animals.
Ella Frank, who responded to the call, said they initially expected to find 15 cats. “Then it was 30. Then 39. It’s a shock,” she said. “She had only been there 20 days, and it was already bad. It smelled, and cat food cans were everywhere.”
The location of the rental has not been publicly disclosed. Prosecutors are using this latest case to argue for Fischer to remain in custody.
All rescued cats are now under veterinary care and will be put up for adoption once they are healthy. The Humane Society of Missouri urges the public to help if they can.
This growing case is one of Missouri’s most disturbing animal hoarding incidents in recent memory.
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