Abandoned 14 medical fund
Tax deductible
On Sunday, November 12 we received a call from Lost My Way/Animal Control. She had been contacted by the Claremont Police, who had responded to a call of abandoned cats. The police needed someone to take these cats. The report was that there were at least 9 cats abandoned outside in crates for at least 24 hours. This was two weekends ago which was very cold with the lowest temperature being 17.2 F. Although our shelter is full, we could not turn our backs on these innocent creatures so agreed. Immediately, our volunteers rushed to the shelter to meet the police. Another volunteer immediately offered to open her home to these animals as their foster mom. As we rushed to the shelter, none of us were prepared for the nightmare we were about to see.
The police arrived with one medium size dog crate. ONE crate. Our silence was shattered by the piercing, frantic screams of the cats inside. The repulsive odor of feces, urine and blood was such an overpowering stench that we all gagged. We immediately started the task of removing the cats from the crate. We pulled out the first few; they were covered in feces and soaking wet with blood and urine. We were able to wring their tails out and the disgusting filth just ran off of them. After removing the first few cats, we saw the cat we named Justice, as we hope to get justice for him and the other cats. He was lying motionless on the bottom of the crate Sadly, he was already deceased. Later, an autopsy would reveal that he was approximately 2-4 years old and covered in bruises and scratches from being trampled in the crate. The autopsy revealed no signs of any underlying disease so it is believed he died from severe hypothermia and dehydration. Lying next to him was another motionless cat, with her face down in feces. We thought she too was deceased but when we removed her she lifted her head and let out a mournful, weak cry. We named her Miracle as we were hoping for one. A volunteer immediately rushed her to our vet who worked on her late into the night and into the next day. Sadly, the decision had to be made to humanely end her suffering as she was not getting better and showing signs of extensive neurological damage. Miracle was also estimated to be between 2-4 years old and died from severe hypothermia and dehydration.
As Miracle was rushed to the vet, volunteers at the humane society continued to tend to the remaining 12 cats. Each was underweight, had very thin hair, was filthy, and cold. We cleaned them up the best we could-our sink was full of feces and filthy, urine smelling bloody water. And then we did all we could to warm them up with volunteers each holding multiple cats wrapped in towels. About an hour later, the cat we named Tae started to show neurological signs and was rushed to the vet also. She too was severely dehydrated and hypothermic. Fortunately, after 3 days of intensive care, she was able to be released back into our care. The other 11 cats, most estimated to be between 2-4 years of age, are all suffering from upper respiratory infections and currently getting medicine as well as lots of food, warmth, and love and attention. They are Keith, Rhett, Lauren, Maddie, Jennifer, Justin, Lee, Kiiara, Mandy, Carrie, and Maren.
The strain this has placed on all of our resources is enormous. The foster home is amazingly caring for these 12 cats with SCHS supplying their food, litter, etc. Our vet bill for these abandoned cats, after just 3 days, was over $2,200. Once the cats are healthy enough we will need to provide for their routine care including spaying and neutering. Three of them also need dental work done. The strain on our resources is nothing compared to the emotional toll it has taken on our volunteers. We will never forget the horrific sights, sounds and smells of that evening.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the caring individual whom reported this atrocity, as well as to the Claremont Police department for investigating this case. We will keep you posted on the state of these cats as well as the progress of the court case as the owners have been charged.
In this post, we will not share any of the disturbing pictures we have from that night other than that of the crate. This is the crate that held 14 ADULT cats for over 24 hours in the cold. This is the crate that was the torture chamber for all and the death chamber for two.
Please consider helping us. The cost of getting all of these cats healthy and ready for adoption is going to be great.
The police arrived with one medium size dog crate. ONE crate. Our silence was shattered by the piercing, frantic screams of the cats inside. The repulsive odor of feces, urine and blood was such an overpowering stench that we all gagged. We immediately started the task of removing the cats from the crate. We pulled out the first few; they were covered in feces and soaking wet with blood and urine. We were able to wring their tails out and the disgusting filth just ran off of them. After removing the first few cats, we saw the cat we named Justice, as we hope to get justice for him and the other cats. He was lying motionless on the bottom of the crate Sadly, he was already deceased. Later, an autopsy would reveal that he was approximately 2-4 years old and covered in bruises and scratches from being trampled in the crate. The autopsy revealed no signs of any underlying disease so it is believed he died from severe hypothermia and dehydration. Lying next to him was another motionless cat, with her face down in feces. We thought she too was deceased but when we removed her she lifted her head and let out a mournful, weak cry. We named her Miracle as we were hoping for one. A volunteer immediately rushed her to our vet who worked on her late into the night and into the next day. Sadly, the decision had to be made to humanely end her suffering as she was not getting better and showing signs of extensive neurological damage. Miracle was also estimated to be between 2-4 years old and died from severe hypothermia and dehydration.
As Miracle was rushed to the vet, volunteers at the humane society continued to tend to the remaining 12 cats. Each was underweight, had very thin hair, was filthy, and cold. We cleaned them up the best we could-our sink was full of feces and filthy, urine smelling bloody water. And then we did all we could to warm them up with volunteers each holding multiple cats wrapped in towels. About an hour later, the cat we named Tae started to show neurological signs and was rushed to the vet also. She too was severely dehydrated and hypothermic. Fortunately, after 3 days of intensive care, she was able to be released back into our care. The other 11 cats, most estimated to be between 2-4 years of age, are all suffering from upper respiratory infections and currently getting medicine as well as lots of food, warmth, and love and attention. They are Keith, Rhett, Lauren, Maddie, Jennifer, Justin, Lee, Kiiara, Mandy, Carrie, and Maren.
The strain this has placed on all of our resources is enormous. The foster home is amazingly caring for these 12 cats with SCHS supplying their food, litter, etc. Our vet bill for these abandoned cats, after just 3 days, was over $2,200. Once the cats are healthy enough we will need to provide for their routine care including spaying and neutering. Three of them also need dental work done. The strain on our resources is nothing compared to the emotional toll it has taken on our volunteers. We will never forget the horrific sights, sounds and smells of that evening.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the caring individual whom reported this atrocity, as well as to the Claremont Police department for investigating this case. We will keep you posted on the state of these cats as well as the progress of the court case as the owners have been charged.
In this post, we will not share any of the disturbing pictures we have from that night other than that of the crate. This is the crate that held 14 ADULT cats for over 24 hours in the cold. This is the crate that was the torture chamber for all and the death chamber for two.
Please consider helping us. The cost of getting all of these cats healthy and ready for adoption is going to be great.
Organizer
Sherry Bell
Organizer
Claremont, NH
Sullivan County Humane Society Inc
Beneficiary