Hoarded animals rescued by three shelters
Mid Hudson Animal Aid (MHAA), which runs Beacon’s Essie Dabrusin Cat Sanctuary, recently partnered with Pets Alive and the Dutchess County SPCA to bring much-needed veterinary care and nutrition to 45 cats rescued from a home hoarding situation. Many had eye and respiratory infections, some had open wounds, and some suffered the effects of frostbite. The emotional trauma of being abandoned in the cold and the physical stress of starvation could easily have been a death sentence had these shelters not intervened.
Workers in the triage area set up for the rescued cats at the shelter (Photo courtesy of MHAA)
MHAA’s mission is to provide a safe haven for abandoned and abused felines. Like the other shelters, MHAA does not have the financial resources to save every animal that crosses their path, but they do have an active and generous volunteer and support base as well as a board of directors and staff that willingly and often donate their time and talents to help homeless cats.
“When does helping become hoarding? Each year, some 250,000 animals are reported as victims of hoarding in situations like this where the intention is to care for the animals but the owner quickly becomes overwhelmed. We are proud to have worked together with supporting rescue groups to save these suffering cats in the Hudson Valley,” said MHAA Board President Don Petruncola.
To be a part of the effort, visit midhudsonanimalaid.org or the MHAA Facebook page. Donations may be dropped off between noon – 4 p.m. daily or mailed to MHAA, 54 Simmons Lane, Beacon, NY 12508. Questions may be addressed to the shelter staff at 845-831-4321.
