Henderson ‘Street to Sanctuary’ Owner Appears in Court as New Documents Detail Conditions at Home Where 45 Animals Were Seized
The woman accused of operating an unlicensed animal rescue out of her Henderson home appeared in municipal court on Thursday, as newly obtained documents shed more light on the conditions that prompted authorities to remove 45 animals from the property last month.
Taylor Stephens, 25, faces two citations in Henderson Municipal Court stemming from the April 16 incident, in which Henderson Animal Protection Services seized dozens of animals from a residence near Galleria Drive and Eastgate Road. We reported on the original seizure when it happened in April.
The case began not as an animal welfare investigation, but as a child welfare check. On April 15, Henderson Police accompanied Child Protective Services to the property to execute a warrant for a welfare check on Stephens’ two children, and officers had to call Stephens by phone before she would allow them entry.
According to documents obtained by KTNV Channel 13, officers noted “the odor of animal feces, urine, and a rotting smell emanating from the residence” as they moved through the home. They found the garage, backyard, and multiple rooms packed with animals and empty cages.
The violations in Stephens’ citations stem from failure to provide adequate food and water to two ferrets in a cage, and from housing cats in conditions that resulted in untreated ringworm. Stephens had also exceeded the number of animals permitted at a residential property under Henderson city ordinance.
A tip to CPS had also alleged that a video showed deceased cats stored in a freezer at the home, though investigators did not find evidence of that when they conducted the welfare check. The allegation remains part of the documented record of the case.
Stephens told investigators she had been operating Street to Sanctuary, an animal rescue, out of the residence without a city permit. She told officers “she had good intentions, but things got out of control.”
Officers allowed Stephens to keep her three personal dogs, and her roommate to keep one dog and one cat, on the condition that both residents obtain a Fancier permit. The remaining animals were taken into Henderson Animal Protection Services’ custody.
KTNV confirmed that Stephens appeared for her scheduled court date Thursday morning. Further details on what occurred at that hearing were not immediately available, and the station said it was working to obtain more information.
Animals recovered from the property are being held at the City of Henderson Animal Protection facility, and those that have been medically cleared are being made available for adoption through the city shelter and partner rescue organizations.