Majority of Cats Expected to Be Available for Adoption This Week
BOSTON, Jan. 7, 2025 – The MSPCA-Angell is returning 30 cats to full health after removing the animals from a single-family home in Norfolk County on January 2, the organization announced today.
The cats were living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions without adequate access to food, water, and clean litter boxes, but are in generally good health, according to Vice President of the MSPCA-Angell’s Animal Protection Division, Mike Keiley.
“These cats are pretty thin, so they’re on refeeding plans to get them to a healthier weight,” he detailed. “Some also need treatment for upper respiratory infections, which is common when there’s a large number of cats in one home.”
“It doesn’t appear that any need serious medical treatment, which is good, but regardless, taking in so many unexpectedly at one time still puts an extraordinary strain on our resources,” he added.
A ‘Complicated Situation’
An MSPCA-Angell team removed the cats from the home on January 2 in coordination with local animal control, which also took 10 cats from the property. MSPCA Law Enforcement is not currently pursuing animal cruelty charges.
“Large scale situations like this can be tough, and, in some instances, are the result of hoarding disorders that can lead to large numbers of animals unexpectedly coming into care and overwhelming our systems,” said Keiley.
“In situations where this is identified, we recognize that the best path forward for both the humans and animals involved is connecting those in need to services to address the underlying cause that leads to these situations in hope of preventing reoccurrence, while we focus on getting the animals what they need to be successful in their new homes.”
The cats are being showered with TLC at the MSPCA’s Nevins Farm and Northeast Animal Shelter adoption centers while staff get them ready to find the loving homes they deserve.
Help These Cats!
“We have an existing transport schedule that we don’t want to change because we know our partners in the South are dealing with a capacity crisis,” Keiley expounded. “But when situations like this arise in Massachusetts, we know we need to pull out all the stops to help, even when it requires some creative logistics to make space in our shelters.”
The cats are adult domestic shorthairs. Keiley estimates their care will cost roughly $5,000. Those who would like to donate to help offset that cost are asked to do so at mspca.org/manycats.
“Considering that most of the cats are in relatively good health, we expect the majority of them to become available for adoption today [January 7],” he said, while noting that it will take more time for those being treated for individual medical needs.
Interested adopters may see what cats are available at mspca.org/adoptacat and are asked to visit Nevins Farm (Tuesday through Sunday, noon – 4:30 p.m.) or the Northeast Animal Shelter (daily, 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) during open hours.
