The head of Queens animal rescue Cats of Meow York, which has more than 12,000 Instagram followers, has been arrested for alleged animal abuse — and the group’s own concerned volunteers ratted her out, sources told The Post.
Authorities, armed with a search warrant, found 44 furballs in the basement of Farhana Haq’s Woodhaven home last month, living in cramped, filthy conditions.
Some of the animals were emaciated or foul-smelling while others had “obvious abnormalities” such as “facial fluid discharge,” according to a criminal complaint.
The animals had no water; several had diseases or respiratory infections.
Some needed immediate medical attention, according to court documents.
“It’s definitely something that shook the rescue community,” said Natalia Kozikowska-Trapani of the New York City Animal Rescue Girls.
A tipster alerted Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) to the alleged abuse, and within days, the NYPD, Queen’s District Attorney’s office and the ASPCA were involved.
“This is something that should never take place – these are innocent, defenseless animals, and it was tragic to see images of them being kept in the shape they were in,” Ariola told The Post.
Haq was arraigned on animal abuse charges July 3, according to the Queens District Attorney’s office and released on her own recognizance, court records show.
The charges are not bail eligible; she faces up to one year in jail. The nonprofit — which had about 10 regular volunteers — took in less than $50,000 last year, public records show.
“A lot of people were concerned about the way she was running her operation,” said Kozikowska-Trapani. “She was adopting out sick and unvetted kittens, she was ghosting [foster families]. There were a lot of problems.”
Haq declined comment. Her attorney, Christopher Toppo, claimed his client is “being victimized by vindictive and accusatory social media trolls whose ranks include disgruntled former employees.”
The animals “were immediately transported to the ASPCA” for “much-needed medical care,” the agency said.