Following a tip-off from a concerned neighbor, the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals rescued 122 cats from a home in Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Sgt. Nicole Wilson said Henryville cat owner Hollie Ingram kept her cats living in filthy flea-ridden conditions and many had untreated injuries.
The cats, most of which are kittens, were taken to shelters in the Philadelphia and Danville area. They will be put up for adoption as soon as they are healthy enough to go to new homes. Hollie said she’d been caring for cats for around nine years now, and described her love of cats in an interview with WNEP News:
“Ever since I was 12 years old, I wanted to help cats because homeless cats have nowhere to go. They either get put down, or they die of starvation.”
A short video of Hollie discussing her plans to eventually open a cat sanctuary where she describes her “dream” can be seen below.
“I am going to have my sanctuary, not here, but in a facility that is proper. It is going to be the sanctuary where you can come and drop off homeless cats.”
Even PSPCA CEO Jerry Buckley admits Hollie was admirable for wanting to help homeless animals, but she was overwhelmed. In the end, she decided to do what was best for the cats and signed them over so better homes can be found.
As I watched Hollie’s interview several times, I became more and more disturbed that she can even think of wanting to start a cat sanctuary. For one thing, Hollie has been actively caring for these cats for nine years now, but still had loads of kittens and injured cats in her home at the time animal control showed up.
Hollie isn’t elderly, and she appears to be in good physical health. But a cat can live 20+ years these days. Does Hollie have a backup plan should she be unable to tend to the cats? Will she have help, or does she hope to run her sanctuary on her own? What will be the cut-off point for people bringing unwanted cats to her sanctuary? 100? 200? 500? Perhaps Hollie doesn’t realize just how many cats would eventually end up in her care, should her dream become a reality.
Unfortunately, Hollie also fits the profile of a cat hoarder. Many, many articles are on PoC about this topic. The sad thing is, although Hollie means well and has signed over most of her cats, she will likely add more shortly. Unless a judge orders her not to exceed a certain number of cats, that is.
I hate to be the one to frown down upon Hollie’s dream, but PLEASE don’t plan a cat sanctuary in the future. Care for the cats you kept and don’t take in more unless you are fully prepared and able to offer them the physical, emotional and financial attention necessary to keep them safe. Am I being unfair, or do the readers here feel the same way. Please leave a comment below.
Please comment on Facebook as well as it helps spread the word – thanks.
Sources:
- http://wnep.com/2015/08/14/woman-with-122-cats-speaks-out/
I spoke with an old friend of mine the other day. We hadn’t talked in years. At that time I think I had 14 cats (I topped out there) and have been into it for 20 years now. Most of them have died (not without a fight). I have six now, and have taken good and proper care of all of them. They have been my family and have wanted for nothing. My friend still thinks I’m a hoarder. Both he and Holly can’t do simple arithmetic or take into account at what point you have too many. As Elisa points out, there are a number of factors. Some people can’t even take care of one. But it’s people on both sides of the equation who make it a moral crime to have more than two or omg go near double digits, when we might be fully capable. I used to take care of a barn full of horses and no one called that hoarding. It’s a case by case basis, but I agree – no single person can care for 122 without lots of staff, room, enough money coming in and a full-time veterinarian. And at that it’s just survival… you can’t give them the personal attention they need.
I completely agree with your very sensible comment. Thanks.
I really hate the word “hoarder”.
Because Hollie had kittens, presumably, being born in her home and cats with untreated illnesses/injuries, and living in less than optimal conditions, the right thing would be to relinquish. If she couldn’t afford to spay/neuter or get regular vet care for her cats, then she shouldn’t have them.
However, I disagree with relinquishment to animal control anywhere who, we all know, work for kill shelters. It would have been my move to call in all animal rescue organizations to help.
I agree that the word “hoarder” has become a derogatory term to mean someone who is mad and who likes cats. The word is abused somewhat. It is too generic and it stereotypes.