February 3, 2006
Dear Friend of Animals,
In November of last year, we obtained a search warrant and rescued 56 neglected cats from a single house. A classic animal hoarder case, these cats were being kept in a filthy home where the air-borne ammonia level was so high that the officials who measured it refused to enter the house.
Our officers had no such choice: Seven of them spent a total of five hours finding and removing the cats. For two of the cats, our arrival was too late. They were already dead. For many others, we arrived just in time to get them to a veterinarian and save their lives.
Typically, those responsible for these sorts of hoarder cases are well-meaning individuals, but they suffer from a psychiatric condition that puts them in denial of the actual harm they are causing the animals they love.
In this case, even though we offered to spay/neuter and return 10 cats (the number that we thought the owner could care for properly), she refused and insisted that every one of them be returned to her. The case has gone to court.
Meanwhile, we are caring for all the cats. It has required daily overtime staff hours and hiring an additional caretaker to keep them all clean, fed, and medicated. We've spent at least $6,000 on veterinary care for the cats. And it looks as if the case will not be resolved until at least April.
At that point, we will let you know how the case ends, and we hope that we will then be asking for help finding them homes. But we need to ask for help now. The care of all these friendly and beautiful cats is putting a big strain on our budget, one that we hadn't planned for. Your contribution to the Washington Humane Society at this time would be a real life-saver. Gifts can be made online easily at http://m1e.net/c?48542816-x4S3ZMYZKZW1w%401426496-czDDn.sz2N162.
We also have a critical need for cat toys, cardboard scratching posts (Cosmic Cat brand is excellent), towels for bedding, and cat trees. For the cat's welfare, we insist that they get daily playtime, but between them all, the cats go through a lot of toys and scratching posts in no time! Donations of these items can be dropped off at our shelter, 7319 Georgia Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20012.
As always, we deeply appreciate your partnership in rescuing and caring for the victims of abuse and neglect.
Sincerely,
Howard Nelson
Executive Director
Washington Humane Society
7319 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20012
