Massive Cat Hoarding Case

The Missouri Coalition of Animal Care Organizations is providing their expertise in coordinating the removal of 100 cats from a massive hoarding situation in rural Missouri. The animals are living in extremely crowded conditions in a small home, and many of the animals will require urgent medical care. A community-wide response of animal shelters, rescues, and the public is needed to support their care through donations and foster homes.

“The Coalition is urgently mobilizing a network of animal shelters and rescues that can assist the cats being removed from the hoarding situation. A large-scale emergency, such as this massive hoarding case, highlights the importance of collaboration in our field and the need for the public to support their local animal care organizations,” said Abbie Knudsen, the President of the Missouri Coalition of Animal Care Organizations.

Current investigations into the home reveal that there are 100 cats and kittens living inside. The cats are noticeably ill and will need urgent medical care. Rescuers are anticipating that many of the animals will require treatment for upper-respiratory infections, parasites, and other illnesses, and medical costs could easily exceed $10,000.

“We’re asking the community to support this emergency effort by providing financial donations to the Coalition to support the medical care of the animals. People can also engage by signing up to become a foster parent with one of the organizations accepting cats,” said Knudsen.

The Missouri Coalition of Animal Care Organizations was alerted to the hoarding case last month and has been working diligently to make arrangements for the cats for several weeks. The local animal shelter doesn’t have the facilities to house 100 cats, which resulted in the need for many organizations to get involved in the response effort.  

Want to help? Donate to the Coalition’s Emergency Response Fund.