Rescue of a dozen sick cats from Fayette home places burden on Hunker animal shelter

A Westmoreland based animal rescue is caring for about a dozen sick cats that were removed from a deplorable Fayette County home this week.

Ninth Life Animal Rescue is looking for foster homes for cats already in its care and two dogs, a German shepherd and mixed breed, that are in boarding after being taken from the home. Jen Johnson, president of the Hunker rescue, said many of the 15 cats she took in — two of which have died — are being cared for at the center and fosters could alleviate space issues as they recover.

“We’re just taking it day-by-day and doing everything we can to save their lives,” she said.

Johnson declined to say where in Fayette County the home is located, but said 10 cats remain around the property that she’s trying to capture.

Ninth Life worked Tuesday with a humane agent from Angels of Mercy Animal Rescue and Adoption Agency, Johnson said. Photos posted on the center’s Facebook page showed rooms filled with debris. Felines taken from there were emaciated, covered with fleas and parasites and some have urine burns on their feet, open wounds and rotting teeth, she said. There was no water, food or litter for them at the house.

“It makes me so sad and angry at the same time,” she said. “This is preventable, it doesn’t have to be like this.”

After getting some of the cats into a quarantine room, they began vomiting blood and were taken to an emergency vet, Johnson said.

“It was terrifying,” she said.

One dog has been placed in a foster home. Anyone willing to be a foster would be taking a healthy animal to make room for others in need of supervised care. Johnson expects the veterinarian bills for the rescue to be between $5,000 to $9,000.

“We were full before this, it’s the middle of kitten season,” she said. “You can’t say no to that. We had to get them out.”