Three Large Surrenders of Under-socialized Cats in Five Weeks Swell Population of Difficult-to-Place Felines
BOSTON and Methuen, Mass. April 18, 2019 – As the sun set yesterday in Fitchburg, Mass., teams from the MSPCA-Angell in Methuen and Boston set out a difficult and emotional task: removing 31 scared cats from a home after the homeowner had passed away.
(Cats) Reporting for Work!
The cats from Fitchburg arrived at the MSPCA on the heels of two other large cat surrenders in just the last five weeks. The intakes have swelled the MSPCA’s population of difficult-to-place cats to 52, but Keiley and his team are determined to secure homes for them, even if some of those homes are non-traditional.
“We maintain a working cat program for cats who aren’t well suited for life inside, whether it be due to a lack of social behavior towards people or a general preference of the cat to live outdoors as well as indoors,” he said.
The MSPCA has placed hundreds of cats into alternative housing in the last five years—housing that ranges from barns and stables to breweries, warehouses and plant nurseries.
“Working cats help control the rodent population inside barns and other structures and make wonderful companions to other cats,” said Keiley.
Regardless of the kinds of homes the Fitchburg cats ultimately go to, they, like all cats adopted from the MSPCA, will be spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.
All told, the medical bill for the cats—who are suffering from conditions such as upper respiratory and ear infections—has reached $3,500. After dental procedures, spay and neuter surgeries and microchips the bill will likely exceed $15,000. Anyone would like to donate toward their care, and the care of animals like them, can do so here.
The MSPCA provides more information about its working cat program on its Website and encourages anyone interested in adopting one of the cats in need from the home to email methuenadoptions@mspca.org or to come and visit the cats during open hours.
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