Protection Rescues

Protecting Animals Against Hoarding - a Reality

By their very nature, cases of animal hoarding are graphic and disturbing. They frequently involve human tragedy with animals as unintended victims. The Capital Area Humane Society staff responded to such a call for assistance in Pewamo, April 22, 2006. Neighbors reported an older woman acting strangely. Working with the Michigan State Police and Ionia Community Mental Health she was subsequently taken to a psychiatric hospital.

Working with police, the Capital Area Humane Society searched the home and found 28 cats living in filthy conditions. Some were visibly sick while others appeared underweight, the litter boxes were overflowing with feces and the smell of cat urine overpowered staff. The smell of ammonia made human eyes water and the taste of feces, urine and decay was in the air. All of the rooms in the house were filthy and animals were defecating on the floors.

Some cats had upper respiratory infection and discharge from their eyes and noses making breathing difficult. Most of the cats were feral and hid or moved from room to room through holes in the doors or windows. Holes were even cut into the walls to allow cats easy access to the outside. The loft, accessible to the cats, was one big litterbox.

Sadly, to have reached this state, these animals lived under these conditions for months, if not years. Twenty-eight cats were trapped and rescued. Not all survived due to starvation and illness.

Happily, several are up for adoption at the shelter and have received appropriate veterinary care. Frankie, a one-year old cream, silver tabby male and Cosmo, 6-month old orange tiger male are two survivors and both have been adopted.

Frankie

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Cosmo