Information on the rescue of 57 cats from a Goldendale hoarder
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As reported in several local papers such as the Goldendale Sentinel and Hood River News , Catlink was involved in the rescue of 57 cats from a hoarder.
We have been asked numerous questions by the press and law enforcement. Here is additional information on the case and there is a photo gallery at the bottom of the page.
Question: How many cats did you treat? The early reports said 57; amended reports said 44. Maybe the first number was the total number of cats, including deceased ones (which I understand were quite a few)?
Answer: Catlink’s original press release number of 57 is accurate. 48 have gone through treatment in Catlink’s clinic. 5 kittens were too young and went directly for transfer after emergency care at a foster home. 4 cats still need to go through clinic.
Question: What would you say the dollar value of the treatments you provided would be? I think it's helpful for people to know so that maybe they'd be more willing to donate!!
Answer: Here is an estimate, per cat, of what our services would typically cost at an area veterinarian:
$35 - basic exam fee
$50 - Felv/Fiv test
$45 - neuter
$65 - spay if not in heat or pregnant
$20 - FVRCP vaccine
$22- flea and mite treatment
$3 - worming
About 5 -6 cats received additional pain medication which runs $5-10.
These costs do not include housing and other care given. 15 cats plus 5 kittens required administration of subcutaneous fluids due to severe dehydration. Others were put an a course of antibiotics. We estimate that the cost of services is at least $8900. Fortunately we are an all-volunteer organization and everyone pitched in.
Question: What were the biggest (either worst or most prevalent, or both) health problems you saw?
Answer: Major malnutrition, starvation, dehydration, were the worst. In addition, fleas, earmites, worms, flea dermatitis and hair loss, upper respiratory infections, eye infections and several had really bad ear infections as well. Most cats were almost half the body weight that they should have been. Each cat was individually examined, of the group only two made minimum average body weight. The extreme cases were an adult male weighing 4.3 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 8 to 10 lbs. and an adult female weighing 3.4 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 7 to 8 lbs.
Question: I understand the majority, or at least a large number, were orange tabbies -- that seems interesting to me -- maybe just a personal preference of the owners?
Answer: the color mix of the surviving colony members was indeed unusual and typically 73%of orange cats are male. Hard to say why the orange tabby outside of in-breeding over multiple generations. We did not see the dead ones, so cannot comment on those. Here is a breakdown of color of the surviving cats.
§ 17 male orange tabbies
§ 23 female orange tabbies, which include the 5 kittens who were too small to run through clinic
§ 1 grey tabby male
§ 5 grey tabby females
§ 1 black male
§ 1 white with black spots female
§ 4 torti's
§ 1 calico
§ 4 - not yet charted
Question: Have you had any experience with cat hoarders before?
Answer: Catlink has had-way way way too many stories to recount them all. The worst had over 132 cats that Catlink dealt with. In 2010, there were 4 cases that Catlink was able to help with and we know of others, that for legal reasons, that is we have no authority to intevene without the hoarder's permission, we could not get involved with.
Question: What can you tell me about the scene? It sounded pretty bad. There was a brief description in the press release we got from the Klickitat sheriff's office, but I just wondered what struck you the most.
Answer: No one from Catlink or the other rescue groups involved were at the scene. The cats were brought to Catlink by the property owner. 4 Catlink volunteers did the intake from the landlord. They saw the starving faces and thankful eyes first - friendly faces - which is not the norm. One volunteer grabbed the kittens instantly when she saw them. They were little tiny boney bodies with big eyes. When they were bathed, they were caked in feces and fleas. When wet they didn't even look like kittens. The smell was the worst of any rescue or anything living that the volunteers have been faced with .... and that says a lot!
It was only thanks to the intervention of the property owner that the cats were saved. He has worked with Catlink before on abandoned cats. We were told that the county consulted a local vetrinarian who advised euthanasia. However we cannot confirm this.
Question: Did the cats seem to be mostly feral or mostly tame or a combination?
Answer: Thankfully and amazingly, all but a few were fully loveable handle able and friendly
Question: How many people were involved in the cleanup? Were they volunteers, or sheriff's department workers, or who?
Answer: Since the cat rescue organizations were not involved at the site we do not know the answer to that question. The cats were transported to Catlink by the property owner who had several friends who helped him.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Here are some notes on the general condition of the cats by Carmen Marquez, Catlink Director and our Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue liaison who arranged the transfer and personally housed and cared for many of the cats prior to transfer:
On the day of arrival 2/23/2011 Catlink took in 38 cats and 5 went directly to foster care and transfer.
They were presented to Catlink in kennels and carriers covered in dirt and feces both in and out that were reported to have come from the property. We had to isolate the cats and transfer them into new carriers at a staging area before moving them into the building.
Catlink provided emergency care for symptoms of dehydration, below normal temperature, and anemia in at least 80% of the cats. Many were weak and staggering.
The following day, each cat was individually examined; of the group only two made minimum average body weight. The extreme cases were #26, an adult male, weighing 4.3 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 8 to 10 lbs. and #16, an adult female, weighing 3.6 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 7 to 8 lbs.
All cats were covered with fleas, all had ear mites, 2 presented with putrid ear infections found below impacted ear mites.
75% of the cats exhibited symptoms seen several times in Catlink's 10 years from cats known to have food periodically withheld or fed minimal amounts at irregular intervals over extended periods. This behavior includes pacing, anxiety, bristling coat, and grabbing at hands.
The muscles are emaciated to about half of what would be expected. The skin pale and dry, the fur coarse and dull as seen in the photos. All cats and kittens were tested prior to transfer: results were negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
The decision to risk spay and neuter was made with great difficulty. With minimal housing and the need to put all the cats in permanent homes, they were all spayed and neutered according to juvenile protocol. They recovered fully and were transferred by Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue of Hood River and then on to Oregon Cat Rescue in Lake Oswego.
A second group of cats that had been fostered by the property owner were presented to clinic on 3/2/2011 in considerably better condition. It was apparent that he had provided them with adequate food, water and shelter. Of the remaining cats, 75% were under minimum average body weight and presented with the same parasites and signs of malnutrition.
Subcutaneous fluids were required on 15 of the cats, plus the 5 small kittens as they were so emaciated and dehydrated still. They barely even flinched at the process and quite a few purred through the whole thing, happy with being touched. The glycemic gel was used on the gums of all that would allow it as a boost.
There were only a handful that had anything more than thin skin/hair along their spines and they seemed in pain to move, many shaking and wobbly still after care and feeding.
It was hard to balance the starvation and gorging and throwing up. I can't believe they all survived!
The kittens ranged in weight of 14-34 oz.: they were bones and heads with hair, caked in feces and fleas. 2 were heavy in mites. They had slight upper respiratory infections and were treated with amoxicillin and triple antibiotic eye medication. All received intake baths, subcutaneous fluids, and kitten formula feedings on an as-needed schedule including bedside care on the 2 half-dead ones. They were tested for feline leukemia and FIV and 3 that were big enough and capable were vaccinated.
In total 57 cats passed through Catlink. We adopted out 3 who did not go with the transfer, have 2 still held for observation.
If anyone is interested in giving any of them a forever loving home please contact Oregon Cat, and tell them Catlink sent you.
See photos of many of these sweet, innocent kitties who were saved.
As reported in several local papers such as the Goldendale Sentinel and Hood River News , Catlink was involved in the rescue of 57 cats from a hoarder.
We have been asked numerous questions by the press and law enforcement. Here is additional information on the case and there is a photo gallery at the bottom of the page.
Question: How many cats did you treat? The early reports said 57; amended reports said 44. Maybe the first number was the total number of cats, including deceased ones (which I understand were quite a few)?
Answer: Catlink’s original press release number of 57 is accurate. 48 have gone through treatment in Catlink’s clinic. 5 kittens were too young and went directly for transfer after emergency care at a foster home. 4 cats still need to go through clinic.
Question: What would you say the dollar value of the treatments you provided would be? I think it's helpful for people to know so that maybe they'd be more willing to donate!!
Answer: Here is an estimate, per cat, of what our services would typically cost at an area veterinarian:
$35 - basic exam fee
$50 - Felv/Fiv test
$45 - neuter
$65 - spay if not in heat or pregnant
$20 - FVRCP vaccine
$22- flea and mite treatment
$3 - worming
About 5 -6 cats received additional pain medication which runs $5-10.
These costs do not include housing and other care given. 15 cats plus 5 kittens required administration of subcutaneous fluids due to severe dehydration. Others were put an a course of antibiotics. We estimate that the cost of services is at least $8900. Fortunately we are an all-volunteer organization and everyone pitched in.
Question: What were the biggest (either worst or most prevalent, or both) health problems you saw?
Answer: Major malnutrition, starvation, dehydration, were the worst. In addition, fleas, earmites, worms, flea dermatitis and hair loss, upper respiratory infections, eye infections and several had really bad ear infections as well. Most cats were almost half the body weight that they should have been. Each cat was individually examined, of the group only two made minimum average body weight. The extreme cases were an adult male weighing 4.3 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 8 to 10 lbs. and an adult female weighing 3.4 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 7 to 8 lbs.
Question: I understand the majority, or at least a large number, were orange tabbies -- that seems interesting to me -- maybe just a personal preference of the owners?
Answer: the color mix of the surviving colony members was indeed unusual and typically 73%of orange cats are male. Hard to say why the orange tabby outside of in-breeding over multiple generations. We did not see the dead ones, so cannot comment on those. Here is a breakdown of color of the surviving cats.
§ 17 male orange tabbies
§ 23 female orange tabbies, which include the 5 kittens who were too small to run through clinic
§ 1 grey tabby male
§ 5 grey tabby females
§ 1 black male
§ 1 white with black spots female
§ 4 torti's
§ 1 calico
§ 4 - not yet charted
Question: Have you had any experience with cat hoarders before?
Answer: Catlink has had-way way way too many stories to recount them all. The worst had over 132 cats that Catlink dealt with. In 2010, there were 4 cases that Catlink was able to help with and we know of others, that for legal reasons, that is we have no authority to intevene without the hoarder's permission, we could not get involved with.
Question: What can you tell me about the scene? It sounded pretty bad. There was a brief description in the press release we got from the Klickitat sheriff's office, but I just wondered what struck you the most.
Answer: No one from Catlink or the other rescue groups involved were at the scene. The cats were brought to Catlink by the property owner. 4 Catlink volunteers did the intake from the landlord. They saw the starving faces and thankful eyes first - friendly faces - which is not the norm. One volunteer grabbed the kittens instantly when she saw them. They were little tiny boney bodies with big eyes. When they were bathed, they were caked in feces and fleas. When wet they didn't even look like kittens. The smell was the worst of any rescue or anything living that the volunteers have been faced with .... and that says a lot!
It was only thanks to the intervention of the property owner that the cats were saved. He has worked with Catlink before on abandoned cats. We were told that the county consulted a local vetrinarian who advised euthanasia. However we cannot confirm this.
Question: Did the cats seem to be mostly feral or mostly tame or a combination?
Answer: Thankfully and amazingly, all but a few were fully loveable handle able and friendly
Question: How many people were involved in the cleanup? Were they volunteers, or sheriff's department workers, or who?
Answer: Since the cat rescue organizations were not involved at the site we do not know the answer to that question. The cats were transported to Catlink by the property owner who had several friends who helped him.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Here are some notes on the general condition of the cats by Carmen Marquez, Catlink Director and our Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue liaison who arranged the transfer and personally housed and cared for many of the cats prior to transfer:
On the day of arrival 2/23/2011 Catlink took in 38 cats and 5 went directly to foster care and transfer.
They were presented to Catlink in kennels and carriers covered in dirt and feces both in and out that were reported to have come from the property. We had to isolate the cats and transfer them into new carriers at a staging area before moving them into the building.
Catlink provided emergency care for symptoms of dehydration, below normal temperature, and anemia in at least 80% of the cats. Many were weak and staggering.
The following day, each cat was individually examined; of the group only two made minimum average body weight. The extreme cases were #26, an adult male, weighing 4.3 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 8 to 10 lbs. and #16, an adult female, weighing 3.6 lbs with a frame expected to weigh 7 to 8 lbs.
All cats were covered with fleas, all had ear mites, 2 presented with putrid ear infections found below impacted ear mites.
75% of the cats exhibited symptoms seen several times in Catlink's 10 years from cats known to have food periodically withheld or fed minimal amounts at irregular intervals over extended periods. This behavior includes pacing, anxiety, bristling coat, and grabbing at hands.
The muscles are emaciated to about half of what would be expected. The skin pale and dry, the fur coarse and dull as seen in the photos. All cats and kittens were tested prior to transfer: results were negative for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus.
The decision to risk spay and neuter was made with great difficulty. With minimal housing and the need to put all the cats in permanent homes, they were all spayed and neutered according to juvenile protocol. They recovered fully and were transferred by Columbia Gorge Cat Rescue of Hood River and then on to Oregon Cat Rescue in Lake Oswego.
A second group of cats that had been fostered by the property owner were presented to clinic on 3/2/2011 in considerably better condition. It was apparent that he had provided them with adequate food, water and shelter. Of the remaining cats, 75% were under minimum average body weight and presented with the same parasites and signs of malnutrition.
Subcutaneous fluids were required on 15 of the cats, plus the 5 small kittens as they were so emaciated and dehydrated still. They barely even flinched at the process and quite a few purred through the whole thing, happy with being touched. The glycemic gel was used on the gums of all that would allow it as a boost.
There were only a handful that had anything more than thin skin/hair along their spines and they seemed in pain to move, many shaking and wobbly still after care and feeding.
It was hard to balance the starvation and gorging and throwing up. I can't believe they all survived!
The kittens ranged in weight of 14-34 oz.: they were bones and heads with hair, caked in feces and fleas. 2 were heavy in mites. They had slight upper respiratory infections and were treated with amoxicillin and triple antibiotic eye medication. All received intake baths, subcutaneous fluids, and kitten formula feedings on an as-needed schedule including bedside care on the 2 half-dead ones. They were tested for feline leukemia and FIV and 3 that were big enough and capable were vaccinated.
In total 57 cats passed through Catlink. We adopted out 3 who did not go with the transfer, have 2 still held for observation.
If anyone is interested in giving any of them a forever loving home please contact Oregon Cat, and tell them Catlink sent you.
See photos of many of these sweet, innocent kitties who were saved.
