As soon as the phone rang, we knew it would be a challenging day at the HBSPCA. Becky Collins, our dedicated General Manager of Shelter Operations, picked up the call and could hear urgency in the voice on the other end. A family was in a desperate situation, and they needed our help. She could feel their anguish and knew we had to act fast.
As we listened to the family’s struggle with 15 cats and the threat of losing their home, our hearts filled with compassion. We knew we had the expertise and resources to provide the assistance they desperately needed.
Above from L to R: Fluffy, Shay, Reese
This family had three cats just two months ago, and now they have 15! All original cats were female and hadn’t been spayed, so they kept giving birth, and the number of cats quintupled. Fluffy had three kittens, Shay had five, and Reese added four more. It was a never-ending cycle, and six of those kittens were female and would be able to breed in just six months. We couldn’t let this continue, and the family agreed to surrender the cats to the HBSPCA.
Our animal care team and the animal companion hospital team are always ready to take immediate action, and this situation was no different. We provided each cat with the care they needed, including medical exams, vaccinations, and parasite treatments. We also made sure that they were spayed and neutered to prevent this from happening again. It was the purrfect solution to a difficult problem. Two of the litters went to foster care a few days later, and Fluffy, Bud, Bloom, and Flower are already settling into their forever homes.
Above from L to R: Bud, Bloom, Flower
We’re beyond thrilled that we could help these cats find the loving homes they deserve. But this situation was also a crucial reminder of the importance of spaying and neutering our pets. It’s the responsible thing to do, and it can save lives. That’s why we offer low-cost spay/neuter services as well as the Spay Your Mama and Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate & Return (TNVR) programs at our on-site Companion Animal Hospital.
Let’s all do our part. By spaying and neutering our pets, we can put an end to the cycle of abandonment and neglect. Together, we can make a real difference, one cat (or pet) at a time.