Photos by ASPCA
More than 100 cats have been rescued from a Pennsylvania facility that, despite claiming to be an animal rescue, was found to be operating in deplorable conditions. Following a request from the Humane Society of Lackawanna County and with support from local law enforcement, the ASPCA assisted in rescuing these cats from a residential property in Pennsylvania.
A significant number of cats were found living in squalid conditions, surrounded by their own waste. Many of these cats were also found to be suffering from a variety of untreated health issues.
“The ASPCA is grateful for the opportunity to use our expertise and resources to assist local law enforcement and animal welfare agencies in rescuing at-risk animals from situations of suspected cruelty,” said Teresa Ladner, Senior Director of Investigations for the ASPCA. “Through close collaboration with our partners, these cats will receive the care they deserve. We thank the Humane Society of Lackawanna County for pursuing this case.”
The majority of the rescued cats have been transported to the ASPCA’s Cruelty Recovery Center (CRC) in Columbus, Ohio. This facility specializes in providing temporary shelter, medical care, and behavioral treatment to animals rescued from emergency situations such as suspected cruelty. In addition to offering care, the ASPCA is supporting the case with operational planning, evidence collection, crime scene processing, and investigative and legal assistance, including conducting veterinary forensic exams on the cats.
Animal cruelty charges are pending based on evidence collected by the Humane Society of Lackawanna County, with the assistance of ASPCA legal and investigative experts.
The ASPCA deploys nationally to assist local authorities in animal cruelty cases, including those involving animal fighting, hoarding, and puppy mills. It also provides communities with resources such as grant funding, training, and expertise to effectively support animals in situations of cruelty and disaster.
