Dozens of cats have arrived in Massachusetts from Florida and ready for adoption after being rescued from Hurricane Ian by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) and Northeast Animal Shelter (NEAS) in Salem.
Last week, 42 cats were brought from Florida. And on Wednesday, both organizations brought 29 more cats to the state, the MSPCA announced in a release.
The 29 additional felines came from the Humane Society Naples and Humane Society of Sarasota County and were homeless and living in the shelters prior to the disaster that has left Florida devastated.
“Evacuating 42 cats last week allowed shelters in Florida to make space for cats displaced by the hurricane,” explained Mike Keiley, the MSPCA-Angell director of adoption centers and programs and executive director of NEAS. “But the state’s been hit hard. I’m proud that we’re able to step up once again to help animals in need, impacted by a natural disaster.”
Both organizations had transport vans waiting for them in Binghamton, New York, where they met a flight full of the cats arranged and funded by the Bissell Pet Foundation, the MSPCA said. From there, they were brought to Salem to start the adoption process.
The Dakin Humane Society in Springfield has also welcomed 15 cats that were transported to New York.
“Dakin is already caring for a significantly large animal population, but in emergencies like this, we realize the importance of stepping up and helping our shelter partners,” said Stacey Price, director of development and marketing, according to a release from Dakin.
The 29 additional cats brought in by the MSPCA and NEAS will be available for adoption after the state-mandated 48-hour quarantine and after they receive any medical attention they may need. Of the 42 cats that were brought up to Massachusetts perviously, 12 have been adopted.
“These [newly arriving] cats were brought to Massachusetts where loving homes await, which gave the Florida shelters more space to help pets in need there,” Keiley said. “We’ll continue to help out in Florida as much as we can, even if it stretches our resources thin.”
Keiley also called the transportations of the cats “an ongoing situation that requires much more help” as the situation in Florida remains fluid and demands ongoing support from organizations like the MSPCA.
“We’re committed to doing everything we can to help the shelters, the animals and the people on the ground— and no doubt more animals, including dogs as well as cats, will likely be making their way to Massachusetts in the near future,” Keiley added.
Anyone looking to help the MSPCA offset the cost of caring for these cats can do so here. Interested adopters can also monitor the MSPCA’s and NEAS’ website for updates on the cats.
Adoption, fostering, donations or making purchases for the cats at Dakin can be done on their online wish lists here.
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