SPCA removes 60 cats from home

Victims of neglect: Persians found in cages and carry-ons inside homes

WEST GOSHEN » Officials at the Brandywine Valley SPCA removed 60 neglected cats, mostly longhaired Persians, from a home in West Whiteland last week. The SPCA was notified after police responded to the home for a medical emergency.

Brandywine Valley SPCA spokesperson Linda Torelli said most of the cats suffered significant matting and needed medical attention for various conditions associated with neglect. Matted hair with feces stuck in it was sticking to the, skin pulling it off as they tried to walk, she said. The cats were kept in cages, some airport carry-ons, both inside the house and out. She said there was feces throughout the house.

The staff at the SPCA treated and groomed the cats, which she said included partial shaving of matted fur, and they are now available for adoption.

“They are in pretty good overall heath now and its best to get

them into home,” Torelli said. “A good number of the cats are under socialized, so they need to be given them a quiet place to adjust, in a home setting.”

West Whiteland police detective Scott Pezick said policed assisted with the cat removal from a home in the 1300 block of Burke Road.

Torelli said Persian cats present a unique problem because of their extensive hair and grooming requirements. She said Persians have a shorter facial structure from breeding and owners need to keep them well-groomed to avoid breathing problems.

Asked if any charges would be pressed, Torcelli said, “the owners of the cats health was failing and that person is moving into a assisted living facility. We will not be pressing charges but cases like this are an important reminder to the community about animal awareness. A lot of these cases come to us because friends family or neighbors report them.”

To report a case of animal neglect or cruelty you can contact the Brandywine Valley SPCA at (484) 302-0018

The staff at Brandywine Valley handled another case of 32 severely neglected animals seized from a home in Seaford, Del., on Sunday.

“These tragic cases are a reminder of how important it is for family, friends and neighbors to be alert for unusual circumstances and to immediately report suspected cruelty or neglect,” said Adam Lamb, BVSPCA CEO. “We are hopeful that the 91 surviving animals from these two cases will be able to find loving homes.”

The Brandywine Valley SPCA is asking for donations to care for these 92 animals from the two cases. Donations can be made at www.bvspca.org/seaford32 or by mail to: Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380.

PETE BANNAN – DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Brandywine Valley SPCA volunteer Roxanne Went holds one of the 60 cats that were rescued from a home in West Whiteland and are now available for adoption.

COURTESY PHOTO These cages were used to keep cats in a home in West Whiteland. Some cats also were kept in airport carry-on containers. The cats were seized by the SPCA.

COURTESY PHOTO The animals suffered extensive matting of hair.

COURTESY PHOTO Most of the cats were Persians, which require additional grooming to keep their nose clear.