30 cats rescued from unsanitary conditions
Greene Township, PA (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 10, 2011
County: Franklin

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Woman

A Greene Township woman surrendered "at least 30" cats Saturday and may have her house condemned after firefighters reported unsanitary conditions there.

Fayetteville Fire Department was dispatched at 4:30 p.m. for a report of smoke at a house in the 1800 block of Black Gap Road, according to Franklin County Emergency Services. Firefighters told a Public Opinion photographer that they found no fire, and believed the report may have been a prank call.

Franklin County Humane Police Officer Floyd "Buck" Hessler said the fire department contacted a township supervisor who went to the house, and he was called about an hour later to investigate a large number of cats living there.

"The feces and the urine smell in the house is unbelievable. You're not even in there one minute and your eyes are bloodshot," he said. "This is another case where I've got my mask and boots on."

He said he found "at least 30 cats" inside the two-story house, and the woman who lives there eventually agreed to sign them over to Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter.

"It took us some time, but she finally came to the realization that it has to be done," Hessler said.

Because he has not yet decided whether to file animal cruelty charges, Hessler did not release the homeowner's name.

He and two other shelter employees were still on the scene at 10 p.m. Saturday, slowly removing the animals from the house in pet carriers and placing them by a CVAS van. He said the woman was having some difficulty saying good-bye to her pets, many of which were strays she had taken in.

There was concern over whether the house is safe to live in, and a building code inspector was called. He arrived about 9:45 p.m., then spoke with Hessler and Greene Township Supervisor Dave Jamison on the porch before going inside.

Information about the inspector's decision on the habitability of the house and the final number of cats taken to the shelter was not available by press time.

While he found "plenty of cat food laying all over the house," Hessler said some of the cats appeared to be underweight, which may be a sign of health problems. There were adult cats and kittens throughout the house.

All the animals will now be evaluated by a veterinarian before it is decided whether they can be offered for adoption. Hessler said the sudden influx of 30 cats would be taxing on the shelter, which took in more than 300 new animals in August.

"They're going to have to make the room for them somehow," he said. "If anyone wants to make monetary donations for the vet care of these animals, it would be greatly appreciated."

Anyone wishing to make a donation may call the shelter at (717) 263-5791 or visit them online at http://www.cvas-pets.org.

References

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