Lynea Lattanzio is not your typical cat lady.
But don't call her crazy. She prefers "eccentric."
Lattanzio started a cat rescue called The Cat House on the Kings in 1992 after a difficult divorce left her with a large house and ample land, but no children. By year's end she had rescued and found homes for almost 100 cats. Lattanzio became a veterinary technician in 1993, so she could provide medical care to her growing number of rescue cats.
Over the years, she has sold her car and wedding ring to continue to save cats.
In 2002, the Cat House on the Kings achieved nonprofit status.
At last count, Lattanzio had over 700 cats and 300 kittens roaming her five-bedroom, 4,200-square-foot house on six acres in Parlier, California. Thanks to a donor, Lattanzio was able to purchase additional property adjacent to her own. The rescue now covers 12 acres, all contained within cat-proof fencing.
The 67-year-old says there is not enough room for her, so she has turned the house over to the cats, and moved herself into a small 1,600-square foot trailer on her property.
Lattanzio estimates she has rescued 28,000 cats in a 24-year period.
In addition to cats, the rescue has about a dozen dogs and a handful of peacocks.
