BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The Bucks County SPCA rescued 67 cats and kittens from the nonprofit Cats Bridge to Rescue in Bensalem where the animals endured “long-term suffering.”
The Bucks County SPCA said that conditions in the reportedly unlicensed warehouse where the animals were housed “were awful.”
Cats Bridge to Rescue has been in operation for many years, and adopted cats through a local pet store. The owner will be charged with animal cruelty and neglect, and the rescue has been closed.
“Some cats were confined in filthy cages, others were free roaming. The large room was filled with trash and animal waste and was smelled strongly of urine,” the SPCA said. “Flies and fleas were visible throughout the facility. Sadly, many of the cats are in very poor condition.”
With support from Bensalem Police and Animal Control from Bensalem and Middletown Township, BCSPCA served a warrant to the owner on Wednesday morning and removed the cats.
Fox 29 Philadelphia reportedthat the rescue was unlicensed and that Margaret Vautard, the director of Cats Bridge To Rescue, admitted to the poor conditions.
“It looked bad so they closed it,” she told Fox 29 Philadelphia. “And I feel horrible.”
The rescue’s mission statement on its website reads:
“Our mission is to help stop overpopulation by providing a low-cost spay/neuter program as well as educational information of the importance of sterilization and responsible pet ownership. We believe that every animal that is brought to us deserves a chance at life and finding a home to call its own. Through our adoption program we are doing just that. We believe that with education and responsible pet ownership we can help stop the overpopulation problem that is currently facing us today. We have a rescue building as well as a foster care program which are both run solely by loving volunteers who generously donate their time, homes and hearts in order to provide comfort and care for our orphans until loving permanent homes are found.”
The animals were transported to the safety of the SPCA’s Lahaska shelter, where a medical team examined each cat upon arrival, with priority given to the sickest cats. A mom cat with her tiny kittens has already was sent to a foster home.
Many of the animals are sick and extremely thin, and suffering from upper respiratory infections, severe diarrhea, and covered in fleas and ear mites, the SPCA said.
At least one cat tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Very sadly, two extremely sick kittens died from highly contagious panleukopenia.
“The conditions of the animals and the facility indicate that these cats suffered from long-term lack of sanitation and proper veterinary care. This case highlights the glaring need for regulation of cat rescues in Pennsylvania,” the SPCA said. “This is already in place for dog rescues, animal shelters housing dogs, dog breeders, and kennels. Without proper licensing and inspection, tragic cases of large-scale suffering will continue to be uncovered only when animal cruelty complaints are finally made.”
Once the cats are healthy, they will be placed up for adoption, officials said.
The community can watch the SPCA’s website and social media to know when they are available. People can help now by adopting one of our currently available pets to free up resources at our busy shelters.
Donations to BCSPCA’s Animal Relief Fund will help cover the high cost of food, medicine, and shelter for sick animals like these. Click here to make a donation