Just days before Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine was set to sign an Animal Abuse Registry Law, yet another instance of serious animal neglect and cruelty was cracked down upon in Suffolk County.
Nearly 100 felines either dead or living but in dire straits were discovered at a Bohemia home on Saturday, May 3rd, according to the Suffolk County chapter of the “Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” (SPCA).
Authorities said that of the 28 cats found dead, 24 were found in a freezer.
Cats of all ages recovered at the Westminster Drive residence required varying degrees of medical assistance, including several kittens needing bottle feeding at once.
The “cats were found living in unsanitary and inhuman conditions,” the Suffolk SPCA said in a statement. An abundance of animal rescue crews subsequently converged upon the scene to facilitate the transport of over 50 cats to urgent veterinary care.
The SPCA MASH Unit temporarily housed the kittens before the Town of Islip Animal Shelter took over to provide them with exactly that. The first batch of medically cleared cats will presumably be eligible for adoption in short order.
Long Island Cat Kitten Solution is among the various rescue groups involved. They are currently caring for eight newborns found inside the home.
"It was disgusting, there were urine and feces all over the walls and floor and up the steps," said John Debacker, Vice President of Cat Kitten Solution. "I almost tripped up the steps because the steps were covered in urine."
Debacker noted boxes and box springs carrying dead kittens were also found in and around the home.
Neighbors expressed how disturbed they felt by the constant smells and intrusion upon their properties by droves of the homeowners’ cats.
As of Monday, it was still unclear whether or not the homeowner would face charges.
"It's horrific how someone can let it get this bad, there are programs that will help spay/neuter your pets," Debacker added. "It probably started with two cats, then it just got out of control from there."
The SPCA humbly asks for donations up to $10,000 to provide the medications and veterinary supplies needed to restore a clean bill of health to these ailing animals.
Licensed vets or vet techs interested in offering their services can call the SCPA directly at (631) 382-7722.