Emergency shelter in Florida ready for rescued cats

Submitted by UAN volunteer Beth Gammie of Tallahassee, Florida

Loading the truck for today’s rescue

UAN volunteers traveled to Gainesville, Florida from Connecticut, Texas, Georgia, and throughout Florida to help rescue and care for cats removed from a hoarding situation today. Alachua County Animal Control officials asked UAN and The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to help rescue and shelter an estimated 400 cats.

UAN volunteer Bob Dickson sets up cages

UAN volunteers worked throughout the day on Monday, June 6, to transform an empty warehouse into an emergency shelter in anticipation of the cat rescue. Volunteers set up well over 200 kennels — unloading them from the PetSmart Charities truck, putting them together, stacking and arranging them into a workable shelter, and ensuring each kennel was secure. Janell Matthies, UAN Emergency Services Manager, estimated that the shelter could accommodate 550 cats.

UAN volunteer Leslee Weiss prepares litter trays

Janell briefed the UAN volunteers in the afternoon, stating that because of unknowns, “flexibility is key.” We’re ready to construct more kennels if needed, create “maternity wards” for kittens, and do whatever is needed to provide for every cat and kitten that comes into our care.

Creative use of duct tape, and how we hope the cats feel after being rescued

A strong Florida thunderstorm hit Gainesville mid-afternoon, dumping three inches of rain in a couple of hours. We paused for a moment to watch the lightning strikes and the torrential rainfall. We worried about the hoarded cats–living outdoors, without shelter or protection from the pounding rain–and then continued our work to make a comfortable and safe home for them. It felt good knowing they would have shelter, nutritious food, loving attention and medical care within 24 hours.

UAN volunteers went to sleep last night knowing that better lives for these cats would begin today.

Read more about this response on UAN’s press release.