Thursday, October 1, 2026
A Glen Cove woman is facing criminal charges after police and Nassau County SPCA investigators found more than 100 cats living in what officials described as “horrendous” conditions inside a St. Andrews Lane home.
Glen Cove police arrested Olena Horbatko, 54, after executing a search warrant Monday at 124 St. Andrews Lane. Police said the warrant followed a 911 call from Horbatko’s 18-year-old daughter, who reported the conditions she and her 12-year-old sister were living in.
Police and SPCA officials initially removed 65 cats and two dogs from the home Monday. By Tuesday afternoon, officials said about 130 cats had been removed. More than 50 cats were taken to Cove Animal Rescue, while others were transferred for emergency veterinary care.
Matthew Roper, director of law enforcement for the Nassau County SPCA, said the agency was called in to assist Glen Cove police with safely capturing and removing the animals.
“It’s a horrible condition,” Roper said. “Every floor of the house is covered in fecal matter. Cat urine is everywhere. There’s overflowing litter boxes in the kitchen. It’s covered in garbage, food waste.”
Roper said the cats ranged from newborn kittens to adults, and many were suffering from serious health problems. At least 30 were receiving veterinary care because they were critically ill, officials said.
Officials said the home was also occupied by two minors.
“It’s reported there are two minors living there,” Roper said. “Their rooms are just as bad as the whole house.”
Police said they had been called to the home several times over the last several years, but had been unable to gain access until Monday afternoon.
Horbatko was charged with 67 counts of animal cruelty, two counts of reckless endangerment and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Roper said investigators would continue working to make sure no animals were left behind. After loose cats are captured, he said, officials plan to set humane traps and later return with infrared cameras.
“Once we catch the loose cats, we will put out humane traps,” Roper said, “and then the last visit we will come with infrared cameras to make sure we didn’t miss any cats.”
