Responding to a welfare check July 22 at a residence in Palm Coast’s R-section, Flagler County deputies found nearly 100 cats crowded inside the home.
Deputies did not see any signs of intentional neglect or abuse by the elderly homeowner, but “did determine the living conditions were unsafe and the cats would need to be removed,” according to a Facebook post by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Once the animals were discovered, city officials and community organizations pulled together with the sheriff’s office to rescue the 96 cats, a number that has since surpassed 100 after one had a litter of kittens soon after removed, Brittany Kershaw, Palm Coast’s director of communications and marketing, wrote in a press release.
From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., teams worked to remove cats and kittens from the home and take them to Flagler Animal Hospital for evaluation. The cats were treated if necessary and then transported to the Flagler Humane Society, which stayed open late and “transformed their education room into a temporary haven with crates, food and litter ready to go,” according to the release.
“This was an incredible example of what’s possible when our community comes together for a common cause,” Palm Coast’s Code Enforcement Manager Barbara Grossman said in the release. “The dedication, care and collaboration shown during this rescue were truly inspiring.”
Sheriff Rick Staly said the situation is a reminder “that responsible pet ownership means only adopting the number of pets you can handle or that are allowed under city ordinances.”
Now, these cats are ready for their second chance.
The Flagler Humane Society will host a “Coffee with Cats” adoption event Sunday, Aug. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to meet the cats in a relaxed environment. During the event, cat adoptions will be half price. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee while you meet your new best friend and give one of these rescued cats the fur-ever home they deserve.
For information about adopting or supporting the rescue, visit flaglerhumanesociety.org.
The rescued cats are not ready for adoption, and it is recommended that adopters wait for the Aug. 17 event.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler County deputies, volunteers rescue 96 cats from Palm Coast home
Reporting by Colleen Michele Jones and Ashley Varese, Daytona Beach News-Journal / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
