Sheri Allen, who was in charge of the For Love of Cats and Kittens (FLOCK) sanctuary where hundreds of cats were found in horrendous conditions here, was arrested Wednesday and booked on 125 counts of an animal cruelty statute that includes "torturing, injuring, and cruelty to animals."

She is detained at the Nye County Detention Center, held on $79,000 bail.

Allen was arrested at around 5:30 p.m. after Nye County Sheriff's deputies arrived at her residence and found more than 100 cats in her own home that were in the same condition as the cats at the sanctuary: sick, dehydrated, starving, or all of the above.

The FLOCK sanctuary, located at 2171 E. Bond St. on the south end of town, was taken over by the Best Friends Animal Society earlier last month after Nye County Animal Control took control of it.

An estimated 400 cats were found in the sanctuary, virtually all in dire need of medical attention.

Best Friends rescue workers have since set up camp at the sanctuary and continue to work to give the cats the medical attention, food, and love they'll need to survive.

At last report, over 10 cats have had to be euthanized.

Allen, who took over the sanctuary last year when FLOCK moved from Sloan to Pahrump, has continually maintained that the cats were well taken care of while she was there.

Although Allen has not been able to be contacted through the number she left for media representatives, she submitted a packet containing letters of support from various volunteers who worked under her at the sanctuary, as well as copies of animal control inspection sheets.

Maggie Ward, now president of FLOCK, said she and other board members were unaware of how bad conditions at the sanctuary had become until they saw the shelter May 28.

Ward and other members informed Allen of a board meeting scheduled to take place two days later.

Instead of showing up at the meeting, however, Allen left the sanctuary, and Ward and other members arrived to find the cats abandoned and left in what Ward called "horrible conditions."

Whoever is responsible, however, there is no question that the cats being cared for at the sanctuary were at the very least neglected for a period of time.

In addition to being underweight, as many as 30 percent of the cats being treated and cataloged at the shelter have tested positive for FIV (the feline equivalent to HIV) or feline leukemia.

Upper respiratory infections, ringworm, and ear mites are also rampant. The rib cages of many of the cats were clearly visible.

On a brighter note, Best Friends is taking adoption applications from anyone who wants to give a cat the life it deserves.

Just stop by the shelter, located on 2171 E. Bond St.