While pet owners can have the utmost dedication to their animals, some individuals may be doing more harm than good when it comes to pet care.
Carol Lynette Samuels, who was hit hard by the recession last year, was recently fined $9,000 for animal cruelty for living in her car with 11 Persian cats, one Himalayan cat, nine Pomeranians and two poodles, according to the Herald Sun.
Samuels was forced to move out of her $1.5 million mansion last year due to financial troubles, and said she could not bear to part with her animals as they were like her children.
"I'd lost an awful lot and didn't want to lose my cats as well because they are the only family I've got," she told the news provider.
The animals were taken to the local veterinarian where a majority were found to be in poor pet health. A number of the cats were malnourished and had matted fur. While all of the animals were seized, one cat had to be put down.
According to News.com.au, Samuels was charged on nine counts of animal cruelty.