A self-confessed ‘crazy cat lady’ has left her husband for her 35 cats – and says she has never been happier.
Kelly Cruse, 33, says her husband gave her an ultimatum that either the cats went or he did. Kelly, now single, is living happily with 35 Snowshoes – a rare Siamese breed – as well as five Chihuahuas and one Doberman dog .
Despite spending £15,000 a year on vet bills, pet insurance and food,the happy pet mom says she remains “totally dedicated” to her cats, no matter what.
Kelly, who resides in Plymouth, Devon, said: “I wasn’t happy in the relationship and, at one point, he said ‘its me or the cats’. I don’t respond well to ultimatums, so I told him to go.
“The children still see him regularly, but we’re much happier as a family now.”
Kelly is an award winning cat breeder, and her work has helped promote the rare Snowshoe breed internationally. Having so many cats in the house has posed some serious health risks, and to minimize these she has had to modify her home to be more cat friendly. The walls of her living space have now been coated in white plastic, to prevent smell and the spread of disease.
Kelly, who works as a web developer and is a full-time mum, said: “It does get a bit hectic at time, but the children love being able to run freely with the dogs and I love my cats. Some people might think I am crazy – but I can’t imagine a world living without them.”
While her love of cats bloomed, it became too much for her then-husband, whose name Kelly refused to drop, and he left the family home.
Kelly has the cats for just two litters, before finding them their ‘forever home’ at two years old. However, she does end up providing a forever home to many of them in the end.
