35 cats rescued
Union, NY (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Sep 22, 2011
County: Schenectady

Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

Thursday, the Humane Society began rescuing more than 30 cats from a flood-damaged home in the Town of Union.

The owners of 36 Poplar Street in Fairmont Park had vacated their home. Several feet of water ended up on the first floor. Humane Society officials put on haz-mat suits before entering the house, which has been deemed uninhabitable by the town. When we were there earlier today, workers had freed 24 cats and say more are hiding inside. One of the difficulties is the amount of garbage and cockroaches inside, which are covering both the cats and walls.

Tarah Tripp says "We received a call from a concerned neighbor. They had noticed that about 20-30 cats still inside after the flood. We're familiar with this address as we've been working with this family for the past year and a half and taken out at least 40 cats. The conditions currently inside this home are deplorable."

The Humane Society says the owners, who are staying in a flood relief shelter, were returning to give the cats food and water. However, the health of the cats is poor. One cat was found is dead. The others are so scared they have to be trapped to get them out. Charges are not expected to filed in this case. All the while, the Humane Society is dealing with its own flooding problems.

Tarah Tripp says, "Right now currently our Humane Society on Jackson Street had to be evacuated to a home on Route 12. So we are really overwhelmed by the amount of animals that we're taking in. That's why we're asking the public and the community to help with foster homes and monetary donations to help us get back up and running again."

The society's new location is at 1946 Route 12 in the Town of Chenango. You can mail a donation to the Humane Society at 1946 Route 12 Binghamton, New York 13901. Right now the Society is partly working out of its Jackson Street facility from the second floor and still has work to do on its Route 12 location.

If you'd like to care for one of these cats, or make a donation to the Humane Society, you may call the agency at 724-3709.

References

« NY State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Schenectady County, NY

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