16/08/2024
Bakersfield, CA – URGENT: Donations Needed! 🆘🆘🆘🆘**
Over the weekend, I was tagged in a post about a tenant getting evicted and needing help with their cats. Initially, I thought it was fewer than 10 cats, so I wasn’t fully prepared when I arrived. What we encountered was far worse than we could have imagined.
When we entered the house, wearing masks because of the overwhelming smell, we were faced with a heartbreaking scene: around 45 cats, including kittens, and a dog, all living in squalor. There wasn’t a pinch of clean litter in their boxes—pee and p**p covered the floors, and we were literally standing in puddles of urine. Despite living in such horrific conditions, these sweet cats were so friendly, just craving attention. How no one called Animal Control (AC) or Child Protective Services (CPS) on this tenant before is beyond me! This nightmare didn’t happen overnight.
On Monday, AC got involved and agreed to take the remaining cats and dog within 48 hours, with plans to assess and potentially press cruelty charges. However, that night, the landlord opened the front door and released all the animals into the neighborhood. Now, there are friendly, unfixed cats and a dog roaming the streets. 😔
We returned on Tuesday and managed to rescue another 13 cats, but many more were still hiding in the debris or had scattered into the streets. Our time was cut short as the locksmith and cleaning crew arrived, forcing us to leave. It’s devastating to know that so many animals couldn’t be saved due to the landlord’s reckless actions.
We now have several cats in foster homes and 7 cats in boarding, with more expected to join them next week. We desperately need donations to keep them safe in boarding until we can find them permanent homes. Thanks to a generous friend, we’ve secured a discounted rate of $40 a day for the 7 cats, but this cost will increase as more are added.
**How You Can Help:**
- **Donate:** Donations can be made directly to North of the River (under Melissa Ortiz) on China Grade Loop (cash or Venmo only), or via PayPal at [email protected].
- Be a foster! They’re all friendly and they would rather be in a home environment instead of boarding.
- **Share:** Please share this post to spread the word. Every bit of support counts!
Thank you for your kindness and generosity. Together, we can give these animals the safe and loving future they deserve. 🐾❤️