Pawtucket cats rescued from home
By: ABC6 News
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PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Several cats were removed from a hoarder house in Pawtucket Tuesday.
Animal control made the rescues from the Bloomingdale Avenue residence Tuesday after a tip from a concerned neighbor.
Inside, they found the home in disrepair and no signs of food or water for the pets.
ABC6 News was told that at least eight cats were rescued, but dozens more were believed to be hiding inside.
Traps were set to get the rest out.
“It was hard to catch all the cats because of the amount of debris in the house and we’ll be going back to the household tomorrow to make sure all the remaining cats have been trapped and removed and sent to various shelters within Rhode Island,” said Veterinarian Annette Rauch from Care for Animals.
The cats were rescued from a foreclosed home in Pawtucket where the conditions inside indicated a hoarding situation.
“The house was so cluttered with just belongings and debris. It was even difficult to find a clear pathway to walk. Feces on the floor. Urine on the floor,” said Humane Law Enforcement Officer, Joe Warzycha.
Neighbors say the animals’ owner had packed up and moved away two weeks ago.
The Rhode Island SPCA obtained a warrant and began removing the cats from the Bloomingdale Avenue property Wednesday afternoon. It was unclear exactly how many there are.
“In a situation like that, especially with these cats that seem to be mostly feral its next to impossible to catch because they hide. You can’t find them and if you can find them they’ll scatter,” said Rauch.
The ones they did find are now being checked out by vets.
“They’re not spayed or neutered. They’re very thin. They’re infested with fleas and ear mites. They have upper respiratory infections,” said Rauch.
The owner has been in contact with the SPCA and he told them he can not afford to come back right now.
They are checking his alibi, but say this was not the way to handle the situation.
“We understand that people fall on difficult times. They loose their housing, but leaving an animal behind—there’s certainly no excuse for that. There are way too many resources available out there,” said Warzycha.
No charges have officially been filed yet. Though, animal abandonment carries a penalty of $50 to $500 and up to 11 months in jail time. That would be for each cat.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2017
