East Brookfield's Second Chance Animal Services announced Monday that an additional 16 cats were surrendered by a local pet owner after they had already surrendered a previous 52 cats last week, bringing the total to 68 cats in need of a permanent home.
The cat's previous owner had taken in the 68 cats over the years but had to surrender them because he needed to leave his current home.
In a press release, Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato said they are grateful to be able to help these cats. “We knew the owner had planned to surrender a few more who were hiding, but we weren’t expecting 16. Our Almost Home Facility team has done an amazing job of observing the cats and moving them around to see who is comfortable with who. We have a pair that came in together and they haven’t left each other’s side for more than a few moments, choosing to cuddle together in a big blue bowl all day long.”
Second Chance Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Jackie Celmer and her team examined and vaccinated the new group at the Almost Home Facility where all the cats are being cared for. In addition to dental surgery, six of the cats will need to be spayed or neutered. Celmer reported that overall, the cats from the first group were settling in well and some had begun to gain some weight. Two kittens are facing serious eye issues, one of which will probably require surgery when old enough.
Fundraising continues to help with their medical care. Donations can be made online at secondchanceanimals.org, through the Second Chance Facebook page, or checks can be mailed to Second Chance, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.