Luna peered out from her cage at the Bucks County SPCA Lahaska Shelter in Buckingham with a look that seemed to say “me next please.”
The three-year-old domestic shorthair mix, one of 76 cats recovered from a hoarding situation at a Perkasie apartment, got her wish just two days later, becoming one of 40 of the cats to be adopted into a new family as of noon Tuesday.
The animals have endured quite a traumatic journey. After being recovered from the Perkasie apartment in phases since a woman, their owner, was evicted from the dwelling on Dec. 13, the cats were being housed at the BCSPCA’s Quakertown shelter before a heating failure and subsequent bursting of some water pipes there over the Christmas weekend forced their evacuation to the Buckingham facility.
Two well pump failures at that shelter (the latest was repaired Tuesday afternoon) forced reliance on bottled water and made things even more hectic for staff and volunteers trying to care for the Perkasie cats and other animals. But through it all, the animals have been well cared for and the response of the community in adopting the cats and donating money and supplies has been heartwarming, BCSPCA Communication and Development Director Cindy Kelly said.
“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “The fact that dozens of the cats have already been adopted is very encouraging. The shelter has been humming. It’s been stressful and challenging with so many extra animals, but the response from everyone has been great. The animals are safe and well.”
Bucks County SPCA Executive Director Linda Reider said it will likely be several more weeks until heating and plumbing repairs are completed at the Quakertown shelter and that facility can reopen.
“I appreciate everyone’s continued patience and support as we work to address the necessary repairs, all while operating at full steam ahead with nearly 200 animals in our care (at Lahaska),” she said.
The Esposito family of Sellersville has been overjoyed with their adoption of two of the hoarded cats, Mint and Jerry.
“Both are affectionate, happy cats,” said Nicole Esposito. “Jerry loves being carried around by my five-year-old daughter and enjoys any and all laps for napping, and Mint is a purring machine and always has something to chat about. They took to our dog, cat and kids instantly. It’s like this was always their home. We could not have asked for sweeter cats.”
Kelly said 17 of the cats were rescued from the Perkasie apartment by enforcement officials after the woman was evicted, and the rest brought to the SPCA by the woman, who faces pending criminal charges.
Reider urged anyone struggling to properly care for their animals to accept the agency’s help sooner rather than later.
She added the BCSPCA reached out to the owner of the Perkasie cats several times over the last few months but all offers of help were refused and, as a result, animals suffered needlessly.
The reluctance by some to surrender animals to the agency because they fear euthanization is a misconception in the large majority of cases, Reider and Kelly emphasized. They explained that the BCSPCA only euthanizes animals in its care if severe medical issues dictate that it’s the most humane option, or if an animal’s behavioral problems represent a clear danger to an adopting family and/or the community.
“Euthanasia is a last resort,” Reider said. “The SPCA exists to save lives. We are grateful for members of the community who share our passion for the animals and who have shown their support. The donations, words of encouragement and many happy adoptions help keep our team motivated.”
Required monetary donations for those who wish to adopt cats at the Buckingham shelter are $25 a cat for cats over 7 years old; $50 a cat for cats 6 months to 7 years, or two for $75; and $100 per kitten for kittens under 6 months, or two for $150. If an adoption is not working out for some reason, a family can return an animal or animals to the shelter within 60 days and get a refund on their donations.
All dogs and cats are brought up to good physical condition before they are eligible for adoption, including neutering, required vaccinations and insertion of microchips in case an animal is ever lost.
Kelly said anyone wishing to adopt one of the Perkasie cats or another animal at the Buckingham shelter can stop by the facility at 1665 Street Road, New Hope, to fill out an application. For more information, call 215-794-7425 or visit buckscountyspca.org. Pictures of animals up for adoption can be viewed on the website. Lahaska Shelter hours are noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
If you suspect animals in Bucks County are being neglected or abused, contact BCSPCA’s tip line at 844-SPCA-TIP (844-772-2847) or online at buckscountyspca.org/report-cruelty.
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