Thursday, January 7, 2010

Twenty Cats Taken From Hoarder in Jonesboro

Yesterday, in a joint effort between NAFA and Jonesboro Animal Control, 20 cats were removed from the home of an elderly woman. This was an amazing rescue and only goes to prove that when agencies work together the community, residents and animals all benefit. The five Animal Control officers, lead by the Animal Control Director, were extremely kind and considerate to the elderly woman, putting her mind at ease about the cats and their outcome. Family members and a home health care provider were very cooperative. Under city ordinance residents are only allowed 5 domesticated pets.

The 80+ year old woman recently fell and authorities became aware that she had more than 20 cats living inside her home and an additional 10 cats living outdoors. The 20+ inside cats ranged in age from 8 months to 3-4 years, males and females. NAFA will provide assistance to the family to get the 4 cats left in the home spayed/neutered and vaccinated. As the weather permits, NAFA will also start setting traps for the approximately 10 outside cats, so they can be removed and rehomed.

While the elderly woman was providing sufficient food for the cats, she was not able to properly clean up after them or otherwise care for them. None of the cats were vaccinated and only two had been altered (those two remained at the residence). Most of the cats were quite wild so gloves, nets and a lot of sweet talking was needed to capture them.

The cats were first surrendered over to Jonesboro Animal Control and then to NAFA. The cats received extensive health checks, vaccinations, parasite treatment, antibiotics, antifungals, deworming and other necessary treatments. They will all need significant care and socialization before they are adoptable.

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