Tip from veterinarian led to search of Olyphant home filled with cats

Concerns raised by an area veterinarian earlier this summer to the Humane Society of Lackawanna County about the condition of cats coming in from a pet shelter in Olyphant led to the search warrant of a home in Olyphant where more than 100 cats were discovered.  Scott Babinski, director of Quigley's Shelter Pets, used the home on Gravity Street as an animal shelter. The complaint prompted a welfare check last month. The humane officer wrote in an affidavit that an "extreme, overwhelming" ammonia odor greeted her upon stepping through the door.  Babinski replied that he did not have the staff. No criminal charges have been filed in connection with the search. The Lackawanna County DA's office said the investigation remained ongoing.