12/23/09 Madras
All of the cats rescued from a Madras home are sick, mostly with upper respiratory infections, many will likely lose an eye because the infection is so bad.
Sandy Ballard, a Madras woman had all of them in her home.
"If I weren't taking in the cats who would? If I didn't take in the animals that I do who would? What would be done? It's a problem," said Ballard.
In January of 2008 KOHD went to her home, when she had 30 cats, acting as a cat shelter in Jefferson County. It's something the County is without.
Now almost two years later the situation grew out of control.
"Seven plus years and I've taken in 3700 animals. To some it might look like I am hoarding animals, but really they are going through as fast as I can get them through," said Ballard.
The rescued cats were distributed to four agencies in Deschutes County, undergoing medical evaluations.
"We also got the cat with the ruptured eye that was a really serious one that's going to need surgery. The kitten with the broken tail, we also have a cat with a palup in it's ear . It's like a growth in it's ear and it has a secondary ear infection from that", said Veterinarian Crystal Mendiguren.
The cost to care for each cat is close to $150,not including major surgeries.
Medicine and food go home with the Bend man who's providing a foster home to these two,suffering from upper respiratory infections. Both will most likely lose an eye.
It's very hard and it make you wonder how people abuse animals like this and how they get mistreated. It's all the more reason why we should foster them and make sure they have a loving home afterward," said David Eddleston.
As for Ballard, she's allowed to keep up to fifteen and won't face criminal charges because she cooperated.
"It was way over the top and I could not bare the though of these animals spending the whole winter in cages. It was too much, said Ballard.
Cat Rescue, Adoption & Foster Team of Central Oregon (CRAFT) is asking for assistance from the public to help care for 51 cats and kittens rescued from a hoarding situation Madras on Tuesday.
Other agencies removed a total of 61 cats and kittens, leaving behind many more for CRAFT and Jefferson County animal officials to deal with. Jefferson County does not have a shelter for cats and would have had to euthanize most of them. They took several for which there were foster homes. CRAFT took 51 others and came to an agreement with Jefferson County to leave the remaining approximately 30 others at the location for a couple of weeks, with County oversight, until suitable locations can be found for them.
Several of the cats taken in by CRAFT had to have immediate veterinarian care. Three of them went to Bend Spay & Neuter Project and likely will have to have an eye removed due to injury/infection.
Bend Spay & Neuter and Companion Pet Clinic in Bend have gracious agreed to reduced fees for spay/neuter and other services to help these cats. Other veterinarians are being asked to do the same if possible. If each would help just a couple of cats at a reduced fee, it would make a huge difference.
All of the cats will be vaccinated, treated for parasites, spayed/neutered if needed, ID chipped and quarantined for a period of time. Most are tame and likely were pets at one time, but animal abandonment is a huge problem this year, leaving all animal rescue groups and shelters overwhelmed. CRAFT normally assists about 500 cats and kittens a year, but assisted well over 900 in 2009 prior to this event, stretching resources and volunteer help to the maximum.
CRAFT is a small, nonprofit, all-volunteer, no-kill sanctuary that accepts many cats that other agencies will not accept or would euthanize. Help is desperately needed in the form of foster homes, adoptive homes, good quality cat food, cat litter, paper towels, cleaning supplies and monetary donations to use towards veterinarian costs and medications. These cats will not be available for adoption right away, but CRAFT has others needing loving homes now, both kittens and cats. Most can be seen on the CRAFT website, www.craftcats.org . CRAFT's sanctuary will be open for adoptions and visits on December 24, 26 and 27 from 1-5 PM, provided there is enough volunteer help over the holiday.
CRAFT will work with Jefferson County on the remaining cats as space and funding allow. Jefferson County will continue to monitor the location in the future to make sure this situation does not reoccur.
A primary goal of CRAFT is to educate people on the need to spay and neuter their cats to help end the tragic problem of pet overpopulation. In conjunction with Bend Spay & Neuter, CRAFT assisted cat owners financially with the spay/neuter of over 200 pet cats in 2009 that may not otherwise have had this done, and sponsors are always needed to continue this important work.
Mailing address: P O Box 6441, Bend, OR 97708 Location: 65480 78th St., Bend
12/23/09 Jefferson County
Jefferson County Animal Control, Bend's Cat Rescue, Adoption & Foster Team, the Humane Society of Redmond and the Humane Society of Central Oregon are asking for the public's help in efforts now underway to take in, spay/neuter, vaccinate, medically treat, foster and place about 100 cats and kittens that were found living inside a Madras residence. The residents were well-meaning and felt they were saving these abandoned and unwanted cats, but quickly became overwhelmed and have asked for help.
Jefferson County has no facilities to house and care for cats or kittens, and the larger animal agencies in the Valley have declined assistance, stating that they are filled to capacity. CRAFT has also experienced record numbers of cats and kittens assisted this year, but will take in some of the cats and has arranged for foster homes for the kittens and mom cats with babies. Redmond Humane has generously offered the use of its event center to house many of the cats for a while. However, short-term foster - or preferably permanent - homes are desperately needed. Most of the cats are social and suitable as pets, after being examined and treated by veterinarians. Veterinarians are asked to help with spay/neuter and vaccinations so the animals can be adopted quickly; if all local veterinarians could help with just a few each, it would make a big difference.
Some of the cats and kittens need medical care for injuries and illness. All of the cats, with the cooperation of Bend Spay & Neuter Project and hopefully with the help of local veterinarians, will quickly be spayed or neutered if needed, vaccinated and treated for parasites. Potential adopters and foster providers should contact CRAFT or the Humane Societies to find out what cats and kittens will be available and when, and to arrange a visit.
Temporary locations have been found for cats that are not suitable as pets, but will need to be placed as barn/shop cats after altering and vaccinations. Anyone needing barn cats is encouraged to contact the participating agencies. Individuals who wish to help but who cannot adopt or foster can assist by helping at the locations; or by donating kitty litter, good quality dry cat food, carriers, cages, cleaning supplies, paper towels, and other items. Cash donations are greatly needed to deal with the medical requirements of the cats. The basic up-front cost per cat is about $50, for spay/neuter, vaccinations, deworm, ID chip if tame, etc., not including other potential medical needs and daily care.
Beyond helping with this emergency situation, a primary goal of all of the participating groups is to educate citizens on the need to spay and neuter their cats to help end the tragic problem of pet overpopulation. To adopt, foster, or donate goods, services or funding, please contact:
Humane Society of Redmond
1355 NE Hemlock Ave.
Redmond, OR 97756
541-923-0882
Humane Society of C.O.
61170 SE 27th St.
Bend, OR 97702
541-382-3537
Cat Rescue, Adoption & Foster Team (CRAFT)
P O Box 6441, Bend 97708
65480 78th St., Bend 97701
541-389-8420
Press Release:
The Humane Society of Central Oregon (HSCO), and other animal welfare agencies, assisted Jefferson County Animal Control this morning to rescue over 100 cats from a home. HSCO staff arrived back at the shelter mid-afternoon with 31 cats and kittens. HSCO staff, veterinarian and veterinary technicians continue to work through the night evaluating and treating the cats.
"The community can help by opening their heart and home to the cats through adoption, fostering or providing financial assistance to provide veterinary care and treatments for the 31 cats," Lynne Ouchida, community outreach coordinator stated.
Upon arrival at HSCO the health of the 21 females and 9 male cats ranged from mild upper respiratory to severe health issues for some cats. A few were dehydrated and required immediate fluids. One feline has a ruptured eye ulcer which will require removal of the eye. Another cat will require a tail amputation.
Karen Szymanski noted that "as we care for the cats, we find that not only do they deserve the chance to live in a loving home, many are starving for attention." Most of the cats are very alert and animated. "If you talk to some, they will roll over, purr and knead with their paws," says Szymanski.
"This case is a perfect example of what happens when one does not spay and neuter their animals and acquires more animals than they can properly care for," says Szymanski. Animals require basic care and that includes a financial responsibility that needs considering before bringing an animal into the family. Adoptions from the Humane Society are a great deal because they include the spay or neuter surgery, a donated health exam by a local veterinarian, first vaccination, collar, leash or carrying box, identification tag, one months free pet health insurance, free food and educational materials.
If you are able to open your heart and home to one of these cats, please call 541.382.3537, or come to the Humane Society of Central Oregon at 61170 SE 27th Street in Bend. The shelter is still in need of monetary donations for their care and veterinary supplies that include: Frontline or Advantage flea prevention, FELV/FIV snap tests, fluid bags and Acarexx for ear mites.) The animal shelter is open Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 5:30 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and closed Sunday.
Press Release:
The Humane Society of Redmond has agreed to rescue cats taken from an animal seizure in Madras, Jefferson County.
These cats are in urgent need of adoption to a welcoming home to overcome this difficult event.
To offset the costs associated with the rescue of these cats, the Humane Society of Redmond is requesting of the community:
Cash Donations: These funds will be used to pay for medications, food, litter, and specialized isolation materials to care for these rescued cats.
Material Donations: Cat food, cat litter, and disposable litter pans. Material donations may be dropped off at Big R or PetCo in support of the Humane Society of Redmond.
For further information please contact Chris Bauersfeld, Shelter Manager, at 541.923.0882.
Comments
Unwanted cats in Jefferson County
Your article omitted some important perspectives:
The cats removed by the "rescuers" were sick before they arrived at this house - when they were abandoned under houses, in locked apartments where renters left them and landlords did nothing, dumped along rural roads, left in boxes at her front door, and taken to the Jefferson County kennels. You mentioned they are so sick they will need surgeries, hundred of dollars of veterinary care, may lose eyes, have polups [sic] and secondary infections in their ears, broken tails, etc., etc.
Since no one asked, none of the rescuers got any records on the cats, records that included where they were found, who could/would no longer care for them, immunizations, wormers, subcutaneous fluids, antibiotics already given.
There was no warning that the "rescuers" were coming, an ironic fact since the homeowner had made numerous calls to ALL of those agencies over the recent months for assistance, but to no avail. That fact alone indicates that people had already made up their minds about this situation and showed little respect for her efforts or even for her home. All charity organizations are struggling these days, but apparently if the news media is involved and the "rescuers" can toot their own horns and criticize someone else, they are willing to help. How unfortunate and counter productive.
Since no one asked, no one realized how many cats have been treated not just by this kind-hearted woman, but by volunteers, vets in Jefferson and Deschutes Counties - with expenses paid by this woman from her own pocket and some kind donations. She had these records also, but no one asked.
There is a canine component to this rescue group - at another location - which is also struggling with no support from the community. Fortunately, some dogs are taken by the county kennels if they are immunized and deemed adoptable. Most, however, have to be driven to a shelter in Portland to find new homes.
Years ago, a Jefferson County widow left a sizable portion of her estate for the dogs of the Warm Springs Reservation and Jefferson County for spaying and neutering. Unfortunately, the executor of the estate lived in Bend and assumed that nothing and no one of any consequence resided north of Bend. Rather than inquiring of people knowledgeable about dog populations on the Warm Springs Reservation and in Jefferson County, he turned for help to the animal shelter in Bend.
Guess who now controls all the money?!?
The dogs north of Deschutes County are on their own most of the year except for a few select times when the people controlling the Daisy Fund allow dollars to dribble to the vets here.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs has a subsidized program for spayings, neuterings, immunizations, and mange treatment. In spite of its name, it does contribute care for cats. This is the only other source of support for animals in this county.
The Jefferson County kennels has been greatly improved over the past few years under the guidance of Renee Davidson. In no way, however, can it be considered a shelter. There is a small, concrete block building with room for small puppies and dogs that need warmth at night. Outside, there are chain link kennels with dog houses placed on gravel. A few blue tarps are provided to a few kennels in inclement weather.
So - no real shelters and no community support. The City of Madras provides no assistance to the woman featured in this article. Since no one asked for her records, no one knows the breakdown of cats that come from within the city limits and from the county. This information should be of interest to responsible city and county governments.
Jefferson County kennels are under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department, not the Public Health Department. Animal control is about rabies prevention and control, not just about roaming dogs. Rabies prevention and diagnosis is a public health function, while dog catching is a public works function. Laws protecting the pubic from communicable diseases, of which rabies is one, are described in the Oregon Administrative Rules.
So, when the "rescuers" came to confiscate the cats that no one had been interested in or able to help with prior to this week, they included the head of Jefferson County kennels and the Public Works Department - perhaps because this was animal control. Where were the businesses and individuals who call when they have cats they don't want? Where were the County Commissioners & City Council members? Chamber of Commerce, 4-H, Girl & Boy Scouts, local vets, churches, etc., etc.?
If people in Jefferson County donated just $1 a year, the cats confiscated from this home would have had more options, as would Sandra Ballard. To quote Gandhi, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way it treats its animals."
My Experience at the Madras Home
Though I tend to think the first post here has some truth to it about the lack of overall help in shelters throughout our county, I myself have a very different view of this home in Madras, Oregon, and of it's owner.
You can read my blog here, with my story and experience of the Madras home: http://madrascatrescue.blogspot.com/2009/12/comments-regarding-117-cats-...
Quite frankly, I am over the moon that something was done about this house and those poor, suffering cats. The conditions there were beyond imaginable. There is absolutely no excuse for hoarding so many cats who were clearly VERY sick with infections and some of who were dying, when we have a local Animal Hospital willing to work with charity cases. I know first hand because I have worked in depth with that gracious staff for many years in my own dealings with sick animals I have found where we live. True, this clinic also works with the grant monies left specifically for Warm Springs animals, many of which I have rescued myself and have been cared for by this very hospital over the past 7 years.
Nevertheless, I do not believe in trying to paint a pretty picture to a scenario such as this Madras home situation when it is, indeed, extremely disturbing and flat-out wrong.
Vicky