Now out of a hoarding situation, life for some fortunate felines now takes a turn for the better.
By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff 
In October 2007, the Navajo County Public Fiduciary Office became aware of an animal hoarding situation in Snowflake, Arizona. The living conditions were beyond unsanitary; feces and urine coated garbage was piled three feet deep throughout the house. The resident who lived in the dwelling had a history of serious mental illness since the age of 12, when she began hoarding animals. Talks with her brother led investigators to believe that the situation had been going on for years.
The woman had no concept that what she was doing was wrong, was committed, and is expected to live in supervised living the rest of her life so that her hoarding behavior does not reoccur. However, no one in the small rural county office knew what to do with the many remaining cats. Neither the regional humane society nor the local animal control officer would help. Pam Phillips, a Paralegal who works closely with the Public Fiduciary Office, is a true animal lover. When faced with the potential that the felines would all need to be euthanized, she said “That was just unacceptable to us.” She realized that her intervention was needed to save these cats who had already been through so much.
Phillips contacted a cat rescuing friend who called various organizations for assistance. The one person who came forward to help was Jean Meyers, the Northern Arizona Representative for the
Animal Defense League of Arizona (ADLA). “They had no one to turn to, so they looked in the phone book and called us,” comments Meyers. “Usually there is a government agency to deal with this, but these people had no one.” Keep in mind, her organization is an animal rights group. She lacked resources and accommodations for animals, particularly for such a large number of sick ones. That’s when Meyers contacted the Animal Help Department at Best Friends.
“Like many individuals who encounter a hoarding situation for the first time, Meyers was compelled to help these cats but didn’t know where to even begin,” says Liz Finch, Animal Help Manager. “I talked to her about the importance of involving multiple agencies in this project, as few organizations – even Best Friends – are ever able to absorb a large number of animals at any one time. However, the conditions these cats were living in meant they needed to be moved out of there NOW and into a ‘staging area’ where they could be treated and made ready for adoption.”
Due to prior collaboration to assist people involved in trap, neuter, and return (TNR), Meyers contacted
Second Chance Center for Animals Clinics Manager Kem O’Brien, who was able to provide temporary space and medical attention for the cats.
On February 19, Meyers, O’Brien, and the rescue team undertook the challenge to capture the cats still living in the filth covered home. “We thought we were all prepared for what we were going to see, but the reality was pretty grim,” comments O’Brien. “The pictures speak for themselves. They wore protective clothing; however, the conditions were so unbearable; they could only work for 15 minutes at a time without taking a break. In around five hours, the team was able to capture 42 cats. The brother later brought them an additional 12.
“Every single cat that we took out had some type of health issue,” notes O’Brien. After living in such appalling conditions, none were healthy. In addition to being malnourished, many were blind or have limited vision due to severe upper respiratory infections, including herpes viral conjunctivitis and calici virus. One passed away shortly after rescue and 32 others had to be humanely euthanized because their medical issues were too critical.
The remaining 21 cats have now been given a new chance at life. They are currently on the road to recovery, though due to the severity of their illnesses, they will need to receive treatment for the remainder of their lives. O’Brien believes periodic antibiotic eye drops or ointments will suffice, though there may be incidences of reoccurrence, since the virus remains in their bodies. While not contagious to people, because the cats may continue to shed the virus even after symptoms have dissipated, these cats should go to homes without other felines or that can provide quarantine housing.
Second Chance anticipates keeping the cats for another couple weeks of treatment, but then alternate accommodations must be found. Kitten season is coming soon, a time when the entire shelter and foster program is filled to capacity. It is therefore imperative that rescues or homes take in these survivors as quickly as possible. These felines have survived through the most deplorable of conditions; they deserve a chance to be spoiled and loved in a home of their own.
Meyers, who originally stepped up to save these cats, now desperately needs assistance from others, “I’m worried about their future. I need help.”
How to help:• Rescue placement or permanent homes are needed for all 21 cats. If you have a shelter or rescue organization who can take in one or more of the cats, or if you are interested in adopting, please contact Jean Meyers at 928-773-8028.
• Though Second Chance is offering medical care at a significantly reduced rate, donations are still needed to pay for the cats’ care. Tax deductible donations may be sent to:
Animal Defense League of ArizonaPO Box 1973
Flagstaff, Arizona 86002
Please make a notation that the donation is to be used for the Snowflake cats.
For more information:•
Animal Defense League of Arizona•
Second Chance Center for Animals•
When Helping Becomes Hoarding•
Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium (HARC)Photo credit: photos from the house provided courtesy of Jean Meyers.