ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
The city of Houston is asking for donations to help care for about 30 abandoned cats reported at a local property over the weekend, according to a press release issued Monday.Houston Animal Safety and Protection received a complaint about the property Saturday and had rescued 17 cats as of Monday afternoon. About 10 to 20 are estimated to remain on the premises, and are being caught with live traps and transferred to the Houston Animal Shelter.
The rescue operation is a joint effort with volunteer groups, including Clear Creek Cat Rescue and Mat-Valley Kitty Rescue, but officials say they need supplies to help with the influx of animals. Kennels, food, litter, litter pans, towels or other bedding materials are all in demand, as well as food and water dishes.
Anyone who would like to help is asked to contact Clear Creek Cat Rescue at 907-980-8898 or Houston City Hall at 907-892-6869.
The city’s animal shelter was in the news last February, when former Houston Police Sgt. Charlie Seidl said he was ordered to shoot four cats and four dogs there. Seidl was dismissed by the city council in March 2010 over the incident.
In January, more than 150 malnourished dogs were rescued from an alleged Mat-Su Valley puppy mill run by breeder Frank Rich, with the help of at least $40,000 in aid from the community. Rich was arrested on 50 counts of animal cruelty, and subsequently appealed the Mat-Su Borough’s seizure of his dogs.
