Cat rescue points to a growing problem in Kent County

The number of cats rescued from a Camden, Del home could hit 60

Kent County SPCA workers continue to work around a Camden home where they have removed at least 35 cats over the last 2 days.  They figure the home in the Newells Creek Neighborhood might have at least 60 cats in it.

Mary Ann D’Amato, head of community and outreach with the agency says those retrieved have been neutered and some were pregnant.  She says her facility is over crowded because of the new arrivals, but also points out that residents in the area have been great at donating money for needed supplies.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip38eB54DUw[/youtube]

D’Amato doesn’t want to talk too much about this couple, other than to say, “they got in over their heads and that they do love animals.”  She says there have been several situations in the last few months where animal rescues and the numbers of abandoned animals have increased.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdacFv3RxPk[/youtube]

D’Amato says there are several reasons for that.  One is people get in over their heads and they abandon their cats.  D’Amato says the SPCA always faces the issue in other cases where people are afraid the SPCA will put their animals to sleep, so they just let their animals go. Another points to the growing issue of hoarding.  She says some people take in a cat and they can’t stop.  In both cases the animals are not spayed or neutered. They reproduce which compounds the problem.

All of this puts a strain on resources, says D’Amato.  She says the Kent County SPCA is one of only 50 shelters nationwide to accept the $100k challenge.  She says the money can help with support services.