Cats Living in Darkness Rescued From Hoarding

MIDDLETOWN –  The horrors of animal abuse often go undetected until law enforcement and animal rescue organizations partner together to save lives. Pets Alive, a no kill animal sanctuary located in Middletown, NY, received a call for help lateFriday, May 27, from Hudson Valley SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Officer Eugene Hecht. He and others had spent the day extracting 21 cats from a now condemned home in New Windsor, NY.  The home, which had been inhabited, had been without electricity for over a year. The windows were covered up and the cats lived in darkness, standing, eating and sleeping atop their own feces. The Humane Society of Walden in Walden, NY were able to take 6 of the cats, but could not house all twenty-one. Knowing Pets Alive often gets involved in hoarding situations, Hecht contacted the sanctuary. The remaining15 cats are now safe at Pets Alive and assessment of their medical needs is underway.

“The cats rescued by the local animal control officer and now housed at Pets Alive clearly have medical conditions that have gone on for quite some time,” said Dr. Joseph D’Abbraccio, Pets Alive President and Chairman of the Board.  “They have severely decayed teeth, lack minimal grooming care, are infested with fleas, and have ulcerating wounds/irritations on their feet and parts of their extremities from poor living conditions.” 

“They will require in depth medical care as well as lengthy rehabilitation in the coming weeks to drastically improve their health and overall quality of life,” continued D’Abbraccio.“They are fortunate to be out of such subpar living conditions.”

Pets Alive is now dealing with how to fund their medical treatment. “The cost of care for these animals will be huge,” said Becky Tegze, Executive Director at Pets Alive. “The outpouring from our supporters has been tremendous so far, but this is only the beginning as we continue to uncover the extent of illness of the cats.”

Pets Alive is asking for monetary and in-kind donations.Supplies are needed, in particular, bleach, black contractor bags, small paper food trays, he-type laundry detergent and canned cat food (Friskies brand preferred). In addition, monetary donations will help provide funding for the urgent care the cats will undergo. A donation can be made online at www.petsalive.com. Donations can be dropped off or mailed to the sanctuary at Pets Alive, 363 Derby Road, Middletown, NY 10940. Donations can also be made to The Humane Society of Walden at waldenhumane.org/