First look at kittens who survived man's torture 'cat room,' up for adoption next week

ALABAMA -- Two kittens who survived in an Athens home where a man is accused of torturing and killing 22 cats were adopted Friday by a rescue program in Huntsville, according to Dr. Robert Pitman.

 

The Athens veterinarian who oversees pet care for the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter initially examined the kittens, Melvin and Mia, who were taken Sept. 30 from the home of Ronald Fraser Golden, 48, who was taken into custody Sept. 30, then held for mental evaluation before being charged Thursday with 22 counts of first-degree cruelty to a cat.

Police said Golden confessed to killing the kittens in a "cat room" inside his home on Bullington Road. Police Chief Floyd Johnson said Golden told authorities he bought the kittens from Craigslist.

After the Athens Police Department approved adoption of the surviving cats, they were picked up Friday by the Spay Neuter Action Project in Huntsville.

According to a report from The Times' news partner WHNT News 19, the kittens will be spayed and neutered Monday then put up for adoption.

WHNT reported that Golden may have possibly adopted some kittens from the SNAP program and the rescue workers want to ensure Melvin and Mia go to good homes.

Earlier:

• Police: Man Finds Cats On Craigslist, Tortures and Kills Them