45 Purebred Ragdoll Cats up for Adoption after Breeder Surrenders them to the MSPCA-Angell
MSPCA’s Adoption Center and Law Enforcement Teams Collaborate to Remove Dozens of “Friendly, Social and Highly Adoptable” Cats from Home
BOSTON, Oct. 18, 2019 – In what officials are calling the largest single-home cat surrender in five years, the MSPCA-Angell announced today that 45 purebred Ragdoll cats have been removed from a home in Central Mass. after their owner—a breeder whose operation grew beyond her ability to sustain the cats’ care—voluntarily surrendered the cats on Oct. 15.
The cats, 14 males and 31 females, range in age from four to 14 years old and appear to be in good health, despite living in a home that MSPCA officials involved in the surrender describe as dirty and over-crowded.
At least half of the cats will need moderate to extensive dental work and a further three will need medical attention for mammary tumors (one of which will require surgery).
The MSPCA’s Boston adoption center is housing 23 of the cats and the rest are at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen.
“What started out as a small and manageable breeding operation quickly got out of hand as the cats began multiplying, which made it impossible for the former owner to meet their health and socialization needs,” said Mike Keiley, director of adoption centers and programs at the MSPCA-Angell.
“Thankfully, we’re here to help in these situations, and we’re committed to finding homes for every one of these cats—and that’s music to the ears of their former owner, who only wanted the best for them,” he said.
No charges have been filed against the previous owner. “She’s going to keep a small number of cats and we will ensure she has the resources necessary to keep them healthy and happy,” said Keiley.
Medical Care, Spay and Neuter Surgeries and then… Adoption
Keiley and his adoption center colleagues were surprised that despite so many cats living under one roof, they are all in mostly good health.
“It’s almost unheard of for cats in these scenarios not to have serious health issues related to the conditions in which they are kept—but because these cats are healthy, and very friendly, we can start to move some of them into new homes right away,” he said.
The MSPCA will spay and neuter all of the cats, and they will also be vaccinated and microchipped before they are placed for adoption.
All told the healthcare for the cats is likely to exceed $5,000 and the MSPCA is asking that anyone who wishes to offset their care do so by donating to Spike’s Fund, a special fund that meets the healthcare needs of animals in the MSPCA’s Boston adoption center before they can be placed into new homes. Click here to learn more about and to support Spike’s Fund.
The MSPCA encourages anyone interested in adoption to visit the MSPCA’s Boston and Nevins Farm locations during open hours.
###
