Rideau Lakes woman charged with fraud in relation to former cat rescue
A Rideau Lakes woman is facing fraud charges following an investigation into a former cat rescue, Eastern Ontario Cats.
The Leeds County Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with Ontario’s Animal Welfare Service, launched a joint investigation in October 2024 after receiving complaints about both the welfare of cats in care and inconsistencies in how donations and expenses were handled.
On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, police arrested Johanna Cake, 33, the former Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Ontario Cats. As a result of the investigation, Cake has been charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000
- Fraud under $5,000 – two counts
- Possession of property obtained by crime
- Obtaining by false pretence – over
Charges have not been proven in court.
The accused has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Brockville on May 30, 2025.