ASPCA Removes More Than 100 Cats from Unsanitary, Overcrowded Conditions in New York City in Single Day

NEW YORK—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today removed over 100 cats from unsanitary and overcrowded conditions across three New York City homes. The simultaneous removals follow several largescale rescue operations in New York City in recent weeks. Since June, the ASPCA has helped rescue and care for more than 300 at-risk animals, primarily cats, across the five boroughs through its Community Engagement program and longstanding partnership with the NYPD.

"The ASPCA has seen an uptick in requests to assist with largescale animal hoarding and neglect situations across New York in recent months, and our teams are working tirelessly to provide critical sheltering, medical care, behavioral treatment and enrichment, legal and investigative support, and safety net services to help animals and pet owners in need," said Elizabeth Brandler, vice president of ASPCA Cruelty Response. "We're grateful to be in a position where we can mobilize at a moment's notice to ensure the safety of vulnerable animals and, when appropriate, support investigative and prosecutorial efforts to hold animal abusers accountable. When animals are in need, the ASPCA goes there."

The cats removed today were surrendered by overwhelmed pet owners in the Bronx and Queens who recognized their inability to properly care for a growing population of animals. Kittens and some pregnant cats were also found in the homes. After receiving medical exams, the cats are now being transported to an ASPCA recovery facility in Ohio for care and treatment before they'll be made available for adoption.

By intervening early, the ASPCA helped prevent suffering while supporting pet owners in dire need of assistance. The ASPCA also supported the following largescale cases in New York City since June:

• At the request of the NYPD, the ASPCA helped rescue, transport and care for nearly 40 cats left in unsanitary, dangerous conditions in a Queens apartment following an eviction. Nine deceased cats were also found in the home. The NYPD is investigating the case with support from the ASPCA.
• The ASPCA assisted the NYPD with the execution of a search warrant resulting in the seizure of 12 dogs and one cat from a Queens home after they were found surrounded by feces and urine with no access to food or water. Nine dogs were found outside in kennels in 98-degree temperatures. The remaining animals were locked in crates in the home. A deceased dog was also removed from the home. See criminal charges here.
• The ASPCA Community Engagement team worked with overwhelmed pet owners to facilitate the surrender of nearly 90 cats from two homes in Brooklyn and Queens where they were living in substandard environments. One case required a multi-day removal.
• Nearly 30 animals, including dogs, cats and a pigeon, were brought to the ASPCA after the NYPD discovered all but one confined to crates in cramped and dirty conditions in a home in Brooklyn. See criminal charges here.

These back-to-back largescale animal removals are part of the ASPCA’s broader work to protect animals in need across New York City and nationwide. To date this year, the ASPCA has taken in on-average over 100 animals per month through its partnership with the NYPD in which it supports suspected cruelty situations and its Community Engagement program that provides critical services for pet owners in need. In addition, to alleviate strain on the Animal Care Centers of NYC, which is operating at critical capacity, the ASPCA transported over 50 homeless cats from the New York City shelter system to the ASPCA’s care facility in Ohio where they will be made available for adoption.

Animal hoarding is a complex public health issue that affects both animals and people. It typically involves an inability to provide animals with minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter and veterinary care, which can result in overbreeding, animal starvation, illness and death. Many of these cases bear characteristics of hoarding, with overwhelmed owners unable to provide adequately for the number of animals in their care. When supporting overwhelmed pet owners, the ASPCA Community Engagement team collaborates with human services agencies to ensure both the animals and people involved receive the resources they need.