CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – 51 cats that were living in a single North Charleston apartment are now at Charleston Animal Society receiving treatment.
“A man and his son brought the cats in after they were told they would be evicted,” said Charleston Animal Society Senior Director of Operations Pearl Sutton. “The man said his wife had been ‘collecting’ cats for quite some time and their efforts to get the cats moved from the apartment had failed in the past.”
The shelter is so crowded this month, that a triage station for the cats was setup using the Charleston Animal Society break room, and employee bathrooms. On the same day the cats from this case arrived, another 47 stray cats were brought to Charleston Animal Society from the public and animal control. “We need help in getting our healthy cats out of the building and into homes, so we can continue the treatment of the cats from this hoarding situation,” said Charleston Animal Society CEO Joe Elmore.Cats that have been examined are facing various health conditions:
| Underweight Eye Problems Ear Mites Pregnant | Upper Respiratory Infection Flea Allergy One has Three Legs Lack of Cleanliness |
Hoarding is identified as a situation where a person cannot provide the proper space, nutrition, sanitation and veterinary care for the number of animals they are responsible for.
There are two things people can do to help with this current situation.
- Come adopt and/or foster our healthy cats and kittens so we can make room for treatment of the cats brought in due to the hoarding situation.
- Donate to Toby’s Fund,Charleston Animal Society’s Medical Fund. Each of the cat examinations and initial treatment including vaccines and other medicines is expected to cost $150 each. Also, the family was unable to pay any surrender fees for the animals.
If you know someone who has too many animals, please call Charleston Animal Society’s Animal Resource Center at (843) 329-1554.
