The rescue of cats from a hoarding case in Tabor City, North Carolina has left a rural shelter in need of help from the community. In addition to the MANY cats currently in their care, Columbus County Animal Shelter in Whiteville is committed to helping close to 50 cats total who are expected to arrive over the next week.
The resident had been feeding the cats but not having any fixed. This type of irresponsible pet ownership only leads to a larger number of cats than can be handled by one person. Thirty-two cats and kittens have already arrived at the Whiteville shelter from the residence.
Many of the cats have upper respiratory infections. Cats are of all ages and colors and need foster, rescue or forever homes. This many cats coming into a shelter that was already full will result in a strain on shelter resources. One Tabor City resident has already made a donation of dry cat food, but the shelter is now in desperate need of kitten food, wet cat food, and clay cat litter.
One Tabor City resident has already made a donation of dry cat food, but the shelter is now in desperate need of kitten food, wet cat food, and clay cat litter.
Columbus County Animal Shelter Director Joey Prince issued a statement on June 9 stating
“After a long day, we have collected 32 cats and kittens from the house on 8th Street in Tabor City. We will be trapping over the weekend and most likely continue trapping into next week to capture the estimate 15-20 cats that remain. The person who is moving out of the house is unable to provide us with the exact number of cats she has been feeding. The newest cats recovered are in roughly the same condition as those captured before lunch, although one small gray kitten is in very guarded condition. We will continue to update over the weekend as necessary.”
Anyone wishing to adopt or rescue the kittens and cats is asked to please help. Donations can also be made through your favorite online cat food retailer and shipped to the shelter. The address for Columbus County Animal Shelter is 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville, NC, 28472.
This tragedy is yet another reason spay/neuter laws are needed in North Carolina. Shelters across the state are being hit hard, thanks to irresponsible cat owners who allow their animals to reproduce then use the shelter as a dumping ground for their mistakes. 2017 is proving to be a very bad “kitten season.” Rescues are full, fosters are full and shelters are full. Public adoption is the best hope these cats have.
Elisa
