Challenging a Florida Kitten Breeder’s Cruelty and Fraud

On February 1, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit on behalf of defrauded kitten purchasers against Orlando-based kitten breeder and seller, Adorable Stars for attempts from the owner to practice veterinary medicine without a license, animal cruelty and neglect, and contract and tort claims.

Adorable Stars is owned and operated by Elena Combelic and her son, Zakhar. The kitten mill houses an estimated 55 kittens and adult cats. Kittens sold by Adorable Stars have been found covered in ringworm, fleas, and parasites while also suffering from upper respiratory infections and feline panleukopenia, among other ailments. In one instance, Combelic attempted a crude “veterinary” procedure, administering antibiotic injections into one plaintiff’s kitten’s leg, leading to an abscess — a mass of pus that collects in tissues — that later ruptured.

COCO: Coco beginning to sleep after showing a decline in her appetite for food.

COCO: Ms. Castillo brought the kitten home to her family, and they named her Coco, before she quickly became ill.

COCO: Coco is awake but very ill at the vet.

ZAHAR: The very next day after Zahar was brought home with Ms. Lima, she found the kitten was infested with fleas and covered in flea “dirt” (excrement).

ZAHAR: Zahar had an abscess that ruptured from her leg from the defendant’s malpractice.

NOVA: Ms. Rozetti took Nova to the vet four or five times in two weeks due to concerns with her health.

NOVA: Nova at the vet laying down waiting to be seen by the doctor.

The lawsuit seeks to shut down the breeding operation permanently, hold the owner accountable for animal neglect and cruelty under Florida law, and secure financial relief for three kitten purchaser plaintiffs who have been left with thousands of dollars in damages, severe emotional stress, and physical injuries.

The types of kittens sold include Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, and Maine Coon kittens. Recently, Adorable Stars appears to have expanded into dogs (Samoyed & Pomsky-Mini Husky), and potentially Serval & Savannah cats.

The lawsuit was filed together with the law firm Baker Donelson.

Who is being sued, why, and under what law? Adorable Stars and its owners and operators Elena Combelic and Zakhar Varentsov, for attempts to practice veterinary medicine without a license, animal cruelty and neglect, and contract and tort claims.

What court is the lawsuit filed in? Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Circuit in and for Orange County, Florida.

Why this case is important: Just like puppy mills, a kitten mill aims to produce the largest number of baby animals as quickly as possible, without adequate regard for animal care. Unscrupulous kitten breeders and sellers harm animals and cause families grave financial and emotional harm. Kitten mills also compete with stray and abandoned cats in animal shelters. It is estimated that 1.5 million dogs and cats are euthanized every year in animal shelters throughout the United States.

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