County Judge Andrew Decker’s June 27 court order tells Craig Grant to “wind up” and “liquidate” all of his affairs by Oct. 1 and not accept any more animals or donations.

Grant avoided possible criminal charges after authorities discovered Caboodle Ranch was housing about 45 cats in violation of a May 2013 court order prohibiting him from having any animals again at the ranch.

Grant’s attorney, David Collins, said he could not “confirm or deny” the information that Grant was still accepting and caring for cats and soliciting donations. But the June 27 decision includes Grant moving his cat sanctuary to Georgia.

“We worked out the agreement based on the allegations. I don’t have personal knowledge that he was violating anything,” Collins said. “All the criminal charges were ultimately dropped against him and for all intents and purposes it is over and done with if he abides with the current order.”

Grant bought the 30-acre ranch in Lee in 2007, about 100 miles west of Jacksonville, after years of rescuing stray and homeless cats from the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach buildings where he worked as a maintenance expert.

But an undercover People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals investigation led to an early 2012 police raid and Grant’s arrest after sick and dead cats were found according to the Humane Society. Most of the 636 seized animals placed under Humane Society care in Jacksonville were ultimately adopted out.

After months of court hearings, Grant avoided trial and jail through deferred prosecution if he paid state and court costs and complied with a county ordinance on the maximum number of domestic animals on his property. If violated, he could face prosecution.

In recent weeks, appeals for food and funds have appeared on the Caboodle Ranch Facebook page, with a June 3 posting saying it is “back in business.” The Facebook page asked for volunteers to help maintain the property as Grant prepared for “Caboodle Too.” It also stated that on May 31 a letter from the state informed Grant that “all criminal charges have been dropped” and the deferred prosecution agreement is terminated.

But after a Facebook posting about Grant caring for a cat he said had returned to the ranch, he was ordered back in court June 27 to discuss if he had violated the original court order.

The resulting decision states that the current cat population can remain for 90 days, then must be removed to Georgia. Caboodle Ranch can no longer raise funds in Florida and must apply for charitable designation in Georgia. Madison County Animal Control can conduct random inspections to ensure the agreement is being met.

Collins said his client is ready to move, but he did not know where.

“This was stated in open court that he has benefactors that will help him re-establish to a very nice place in Georgia,” he said. “It was certainly a factor the court considered.”

Original Article:  http://www.jacksonville.com/article/20140704/NEWS/801253045

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