Please Read

In early July we at Putnam Felines learned about a hoarder of cats in Putnam Valley. She had about 40 cats inside and another group of unknown number outside. The woman who had collected this large number of cats needed help. Over the past month and a half we (Putnam Felines, Inc.) have been doing just that. With the "hoarder's" cooperation we captured, immunized and spayed or neutered all of the indoor cats. Our fostering volunteers assumed the care of 25 kittens who were surrendered by the 'hoarder." The adult cats were returned to their home where the hoarder will care for them with our guidance. She has resolved to stop additional hoarding and we intend to continue to be supportive.

The Town, the County and Humane Law Enforcement knew about this situation more than a year ago. Law enforcement wanted to seize the cats but had no place to put them. The shelter, which is paid $140,000 a year by the county refused to take them. The town, the County, Humane Law Enforcement and all of the people who knew about this problem did absolutely nothing for all of that time. There was no place to put them.

Over this year the house festered with disease while large numbers of kittens were born to unhealthy mothers. Disease spread to all of the adult cats until there is not one cat in the house with two healthy eyes and most have only one sighted eye. All of this was happening while those who had the power and money to do the obvious sat around and complained about no place to put the cats. Clearly it did not serve the purpose of those who knew about this "hoarder" to find other ways of dealing with it. Once we heard about it we knew it was all about the kittens! Stopping more kittens from being born would tame the situation and reduce the tension in the house. Nothing will help the adult cats we found there. Not one of them is adoptable. If they were to be seized and placed in a public shelter, they most likely, would be euthanized. All of the 25 kittens we rescued have eye issues and other health problems. Their foster families are working to get them well and to give them the social skills they need to be lovable family pets. They will be immunized, spayed or neutered and adopted to families who will love and care for them.

Now that all of the emotions about "the hoarder" have worked their way to the surface I am sitting back and wondering if all of Putnam Felines' efforts haven't enabled those who dropped the ball to save face: The Town, the County, Humane Law Enforcement and all of the people who knew about this problem more than one year ago and did absolutely nothing. We know it is all about the animals. We also know that this should not be happening. Our supporters are tax paying residents of our town and county and in their own quiet way will let their feelings be known.

To anyone looking to volunteer or adopt a cat or kitten, please Contact us!
845-538-0015