The incident occurred in Columbia County on Friday, Oct. 18, in Hillsdale.
After receiving a tip about possible animal abuse, members of the New York State Police, with the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, Animal Nation, and the Hillsdale Building Department, determined that Jennifer Rossi, age 45, and Peggy Card, age 45, both of Hillsdale, failed to care for the animals, said Trooper AJ Hicks.
Animal Nation, located in Westchester County in South Salem, volunteered to care for the cats at their shelter, Hicks said.
Hicks said due to their poor condition, two cats had to be sent to a local veterinarian, where they were pronounced deceased.
Rossi and Card were both charged with 40 counts of agricultural and market law torturing or injuring animals/failure to provide sustenance.
Both women were issued appearance tickets to appear in court on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
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