MONIKA LISTOS SHAMES ANIMAL LIFE IN HOLBROOKS: COVENTRY'S ILLEGAL KITTEN FARM EXPOSED
| Red Rose Database
Holbrooks Animal Abuser
Monika Listos, a Polish national residing at 66 Lauderdale Avenue, Coventry CV6 4LL, has been convicted for her role in operating an illegal kitten farm in the Coventry area, specifically in the Holbrooks neighborhood. Her actions, which involved neglect and the illegal sale of very young and ill kittens, have drawn significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the public alike.
Listos, who traded under the name Cashmere Touch Ragdoll and was known to be associated with the notorious breeder Lizzie Scarrott, established her illicit operation in an unoccupied house located in Coventry. This property served as a makeshift breeding and selling point, where she kept numerous vulnerable kittens in deplorable conditions before selling them online. Her method involved purchasing kittens from online advertisements and then reselling them on platforms like Gumtree, often at a profit.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving 46 complaints from concerned members of the public, who reported distressing details about the kittens being sold. Many of these animals were too young to be separated from their mothers, and several were found to be gravely ill. The public's concern was compounded by reports that the kittens were being sold in a state of neglect and suffering.
On April 27, 2019, animal welfare inspectors visited the address on Lillington Road, Wood End, where the kittens were being sold. The scene they encountered was distressing: a barely furnished living room housing 18 kittens, believed to be from three different litters. Among them was a particularly small kitten, which was not moving and appeared to be in a dire state of health. The conditions were appalling, with the kittens living in filth, and the environment lacking basic necessities.
Inspector Louise Marston described the scene: “I noticed a very bad smell of illness, diarrhoea, and filth. There was a small Tupperware container with some dry kitten food, an empty plate, and an empty plastic double bowl. There was no water, no bedding, and no toys for the kittens to play with. The rooms were empty of all furnishings, and no adult cats were present.”
She further detailed the condition of the smallest kitten, which was found curled up on the couch, very thin, with a dirty bottom covered in diarrhoea. Due to her frail state, she was unable to access food, water, or the litter tray without assistance. The kittens were taken to a nearby veterinary clinic, where they were found to be suffering significantly. Sadly, the smallest kitten died overnight while under veterinary care.
Further investigation revealed that some of the kittens were only four to five weeks old, far too young to be separated from their mothers, who would typically still be nursing at around eight weeks. Twelve of the 18 kittens tested positive for feline parvovirus, a highly contagious and often fatal disease, and unfortunately, all of these infected kittens died. The remaining six kittens were rescued, treated, and successfully re-homed through the RSPCA’s Coventry and District Branch.
It was also revealed that Listos and her partner, Arek ‘Adam’ Palka, are known associates of Lizzie Scarrott, whose illegal breeding operation was exposed by BBC Watchdog in 2018. The pair’s disregard for animal welfare and the health risks posed by their breeding practices highlight a troubling pattern of cruelty and neglect.
Animal welfare inspector Louise Marston emphasized the importance of responsible breeding: “Kittens infected with feline parvovirus often come from unvaccinated mothers, and these kittens were found in a house on their own, many far too young to be away from their mothers. They were at serious risk of spreading the disease through contact with contaminated faeces. Anyone considering adopting a kitten should ensure they are bred responsibly to prevent health and behavioral issues in the future.”
In sentencing, Monika Listos was jailed for 20 weeks, ordered to pay a total of £10,115 in fines and costs, and was banned from keeping any animals for life. Her illegal activities and neglect have left a lasting mark on the community and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare enforcement in Coventry and beyond.
Listos, who traded under the name Cashmere Touch Ragdoll and was known to be associated with the notorious breeder Lizzie Scarrott, established her illicit operation in an unoccupied house located in Coventry. This property served as a makeshift breeding and selling point, where she kept numerous vulnerable kittens in deplorable conditions before selling them online. Her method involved purchasing kittens from online advertisements and then reselling them on platforms like Gumtree, often at a profit.
The RSPCA launched an investigation after receiving 46 complaints from concerned members of the public, who reported distressing details about the kittens being sold. Many of these animals were too young to be separated from their mothers, and several were found to be gravely ill. The public's concern was compounded by reports that the kittens were being sold in a state of neglect and suffering.
On April 27, 2019, animal welfare inspectors visited the address on Lillington Road, Wood End, where the kittens were being sold. The scene they encountered was distressing: a barely furnished living room housing 18 kittens, believed to be from three different litters. Among them was a particularly small kitten, which was not moving and appeared to be in a dire state of health. The conditions were appalling, with the kittens living in filth, and the environment lacking basic necessities.
Inspector Louise Marston described the scene: “I noticed a very bad smell of illness, diarrhoea, and filth. There was a small Tupperware container with some dry kitten food, an empty plate, and an empty plastic double bowl. There was no water, no bedding, and no toys for the kittens to play with. The rooms were empty of all furnishings, and no adult cats were present.”
She further detailed the condition of the smallest kitten, which was found curled up on the couch, very thin, with a dirty bottom covered in diarrhoea. Due to her frail state, she was unable to access food, water, or the litter tray without assistance. The kittens were taken to a nearby veterinary clinic, where they were found to be suffering significantly. Sadly, the smallest kitten died overnight while under veterinary care.
Further investigation revealed that some of the kittens were only four to five weeks old, far too young to be separated from their mothers, who would typically still be nursing at around eight weeks. Twelve of the 18 kittens tested positive for feline parvovirus, a highly contagious and often fatal disease, and unfortunately, all of these infected kittens died. The remaining six kittens were rescued, treated, and successfully re-homed through the RSPCA’s Coventry and District Branch.
It was also revealed that Listos and her partner, Arek ‘Adam’ Palka, are known associates of Lizzie Scarrott, whose illegal breeding operation was exposed by BBC Watchdog in 2018. The pair’s disregard for animal welfare and the health risks posed by their breeding practices highlight a troubling pattern of cruelty and neglect.
Animal welfare inspector Louise Marston emphasized the importance of responsible breeding: “Kittens infected with feline parvovirus often come from unvaccinated mothers, and these kittens were found in a house on their own, many far too young to be away from their mothers. They were at serious risk of spreading the disease through contact with contaminated faeces. Anyone considering adopting a kitten should ensure they are bred responsibly to prevent health and behavioral issues in the future.”
In sentencing, Monika Listos was jailed for 20 weeks, ordered to pay a total of £10,115 in fines and costs, and was banned from keeping any animals for life. Her illegal activities and neglect have left a lasting mark on the community and serve as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare enforcement in Coventry and beyond.