WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — An estimated 40 cats that were living in squalor in a hoarding situation at a White Plains apartment are being rescued and cared for by the Westchester SPCA.
“Our staff is currently setting up food stations and traps to rescue nearly 40 cats and kittens from a heartbreaking hoarding case in White Plains,” the organization wrote in a post on Facebook on Tuesday.
The SPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement Unit responded to a report from the building’s landlord after neighbors complained about the smell, though no charges are being brought against the female resident. Officers do not believe the woman had ill intent.
“In this case, we are not looking to bring charges against this person, she just, she needs help,” SPCA Westchester Director of Development Lisa Bonanno said.
Dozens of cats were living in the apartment, categorized as filthy and full of feces, and hiding out in furniture or the bathroom ceiling where officials found an opening.
“The second you walk in it’s difficult to breathe, and it’s quite unpleasant,” Bonanno said of the scene.
Many of the cats and kittens are frightened, dehydrated and suffering from respiratory problems, officials said. Humane officers have been setting traps to transport all of the apartment’s pets to the SPCA Westchester to receive treatment.
The SPCA Westchester is accepting financial donations to help with the cats, here. If financial aid isn’t possible, people can send food, treats or toys to the organization, Bonanno said.
After the cats and kittens are restored to health in the next few weeks, rescuers are going to be seeking families to adopt the animals.
“Hopefully in the next few weeks as they get healthy, yeah we will be looking for homes for all of them, and you know a lot of them are going to be used to living with a lot of other cats,” Bonanno said.