On a recent afternoon, as she sat on her porch surrounded by meowing, purring kitties, Grant was perfectly content. "This is my idea of heaven." She says.

At least two of her neighbors don't feel the same way. Last year, Ray Machowski and Dennis Kramer complained to country officials that Grant's cats were using their property as a litter box, killing small birds and animals, and lowering their property values.

"It's unbreakable, "Kramer says. "I can't even put it into words."

Volusia Country allows residential households to have four cats or dogs older than six months, but zoning rules allow for an exception for an animal shelter in certain agricultural areas, including Grant's, which is considered forestry - resource land. Grant applied for the exception, but council members sided with her neighbors.

The neighbors that live our there deserve the quiet enjoyment of their property. I just believe this is not the right sport to have this, Council member Dwight Lewsi said at Grant's 90-minute hearing in August.

In October, she asked the council to reconsider its decision but the seven council members voted against rehearing her case. She says she is going to courts to appeal it Grant's lawyer. Eric A. Latinsky of Daytona Beach, told council members that Grant would be willing to comply with specific standards, including limits on cats and keeping them contained.

Grant also says she would be willing to give away some of the animals to good homes to help bring down the feline population and said she would make sure all the animals are spayed or neutered.

But assistant county attorney Jamie Seaman says there were no specific standards for an animal shelter or kennel, Instead Grant had to show that her sanctuary wouldn't influence property values or create a public nuisance - criteria Grant has been unable to meet, Seaman says.

But Latinsky says Grant - who spent $25,000 to fence in five acres at her home to contain cats - should have the chance to show she can control where the animals go.

"It's not impossible to fence cats, he says. "If you'll give us some time and criteria we'll do it. We promise it."