Local cat rescue overflowing with animals in need
Furever Cat Angels is facing a growing animal welfare crisis that many residents may not realize exists.
Recently the Canton cat rescue had to close their doors to intake- unable to take in anymore kittens and cats as they are bursting at the seams with felines.
“Most people don’t know the severity of this crisis because they aren’t part of the rescue community,” rescue founder Marissa Beaulieu said. “That’s why we’re using our voices. The animals don’t have one. We need our officials and our communities to recognize what is happening and step up.”
Beaulieu said many of the cats being rescued are not feral animals.
“These are friendly cats that people have put outside,” she said. “We don’t like having kittens in crates. They’ve never been in a crate, and neither have their mothers, but we have zero space.”
She said small rescue organizations across the state are overwhelmed by a steady stream of cases involving abandonment, neglect, starvation, illness, and abuse.
“What we are seeing on the streets of Hartford is heartbreaking and, frankly, unacceptable,” Beaulieu said. “At night, you can see cats and kittens everywhere, including pregnant cats, sick animals, abandoned kittens, and animals simply trying to survive. The overpopulation is out of control, yet affordable spay and neuter services and veterinary resources are extremely limited.”
Beaulieu says that rescues across the state are faced with the rising population of animals in need of rescues along with rising costs.
“We are often left fundraising or paying out of our own pockets to save animals because there is nowhere else to turn,” Beaulieu said. “We don’t have grants or support from the city, animal control, the state or the federal government.”
As a result, Beaulieu said many animals continue to suffer outdoors without adequate food, water, shelter, or safe places to care for their young.
Beaulieu said there are several ways people can help, even if they are unable to foster animals or make financial donations.
“Adopt, volunteer, share a rescue’s posts, attend an event, fundraise, or simply reach out to a small local rescue and ask, ‘How can I help?’” she said. “The small local rescues are doing everything we can, but we are completely inundated and cannot do this alone.”
Furever Cat Angels Rescue will host two adoption events in Simsbury on Saturday, giving dozens of cats and kittens the chance to find their forever homes.
Potential adopters can meet available cats at The Coffee Spot from 10 a.m. to noon and at Tractor Supply from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rescue officials say preapproval is available for anyone interested in adopting at either event.
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