Most of the cats are already eligible for adoption and the shelter is currently conducting individual testing to determine the best home environment for each feline.
As animal lovers, many of us want to have a dog or a cat and then end up settling on more than one (no one is judging you!). However, how many cats are really too many? I think 84 definitely falls into that ballpark!
One woman in Spotsylvania County hoarded 84 cats in her one-story home, earning her the ultimate crazy cat lady title. The number of felines has increased to 94 since a couple of the female cats were pregnant and recently gave birth to a litter of kittens (go get a kitten)!
The felines were removed from her one-story Spotsylvania home on June 21 by Spotsylvania County Animal Control and the Spotsylvania Animal Shelter over the course of a solid five to six hours).
Many of the cats were very ill with ear infections and skin conditions, and some worse were immediately treated at the local pet hospital, Lee's Pet Hospital. The cats are now safely in the hands of the Spotsylvania SPCA, Fredericksburg SPCA, and several foster homes, awaiting their safe forever families.
Despite their illnesses, many have been given individual assessments and put up for adoption – the Fredericksburg SPCA is recommending that some of the cats go to barn homes with large spaces for them to roam and get the peace and quiet that they require.
During their examinations at the pet hospital and by shelter staff, it was found that the cats would break out into fights due to living in close quarters, and many are covered in wounds. In addition, the cats missed out on their daily dose of human contact and built up behavioral conditions as a result.
If you wish to consider adopting one of these poor cats, take into consideration that they may need some time to warm up to their new owners and understand their new calm and loving environment.
Since bringing in the cats, the Fredericksburg SPCA is in dire need of food, bedding, basic cleaning supplies, and donations in order to care for them all. As well as the essentials, they are in dire need of volunteers to help care for the animals between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will be focusing on the adoption-ready cats only so the staff can focus on assisting the hoarded cats. Find out more here!
If you wish to donate to the Fredericksburg SPCA, you can do so on their Facebook page or bring your donations directly to the shelter.
"We do not want anyone to be shamed, and we don't want to hinder people reaching out to us who might be in a similar condition and need help," said Dalia Salah, Director of the Fredericksburg SPCA. "We have trained team members who are available to talk in a judgment-free way."
Hoarding animals is a dangerous habit because it will hinder your health, as well as the animal's overall health. If you know of anyone who may be hoarding animals, please contact your local law enforcement department, animal welfare organization, or veterinarian to have the animals treated right away and removed from the situation. It's important to deal with the situation lightly as well – The ASPCA offered some tips on how to handle the situation properly. Time and patience are key.
**All photos courtesy of the Fredericksburg SPCA
Do you know of anyone who is hoarding animals? Will you consider taking in one of these poor cats into your home and your heart? Tell us in the comments!
