Two NY shelters rescue 40+ cats from hoarding situation
An Animal Rights Article from All-Creatures.org

FROM

Christine C on This Dish is Veg
March 2013

Mid-Hudson Animal Aid, in collaboration with Pets Alive, two outstanding no-kill rescue organizations from NY, with some help from the Dutchess County SPCA, recently worked together to save over 45 cats from a very serious home hoarding situation.

It all began when the organizations received a phone call for some much needed help. Dozens of cats had been cast outside of their home. When Audrey Lodato, Shelter Manager at Mid Hudson Animal Aid, and Kerry Clair, Executive Director of Pets Alive, went to the home to assess the situation, they realized just how bad it was. There were cats everywhere: in the trees, on the roof, in cars, all over the place.

Without knowing exactly how many cats there were, what kind of condition they were in or medical treatment they would need, or how they would financially care for them, they instinctively came up with a plan, assembled a team and started trapping.

The cats were taken to Mid Hudson Animal Aid where they were, according to Audrey Lodato, "snap tested, examined and fed the first decent meal they probably ever had." Kerry Clair stated, "...we were trapping cats as fast as we could set the traps. It really hits you, these cats are starving and desperate for food." Most had serious injuries including open wounds, eye and nail infections, upper respiratory infections, frost bite and ruptured eyes that needed to be removed surgically. Never mind the fact that they are all scared, confused and scarred emotionally. Had these shelters not intervened, these cats would most likely not have survived.

Thanks to these organizations, these poor, abandoned, starved, ill and neglected cats are now resting comfortably in the warmth with full bellies, soft pillows to lay their heads, and tons of love. Their medical needs have been (and are continually being) met, but it's still a long road to emotional health for these "broken" cats.

"When does helping become hoarding? Each year, some 250,000 animals are reported victims of hoarding in situations like this where the intention is to care for the animals but the owner quickly becomes overwhelmed. We are proud to have worked together with supporting rescue groups to save these suffering cats in the Hudson Valley", said Mid Hudson Animal Aid Board President, Don Petruncola.

I had the pleasure of meeting some of the cats that were transferred to Pets Alive just the other day, and it truly breaks your heart to see the pain they've endured on their confused little faces. But rest assured, Mid Hudson Animal Aid and Pets Alive, together with their dedicated staff and volunteers, will see to it that the next chapter of their lives will be filled with more love and care than they ever imagined.

In order to continue to care for these cats, and all the other animals they take in and care for on a daily basis, they desperately need our financial help! Won't you consider making a donation? You can be sure that your donations will go directly to these organizations and to funding the animals in their care.

Mid Hudson Animal Aid
http://www.midhudsonanimalaid.org/

Pets Alive
http://petsalive.com/

---

Return to Animal Rights Articles