“Huge stench, lack of litter boxes, food and water.” These were the conditions of 30 cats left by the owner in a small apartment in a block of flats in Tarnobrzeg. The woman went abroad. The animals were taken care of by the Tarnobrzeg Association “Let's Protect the Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków. – We have never seen such hungry cats before – comment animal defenders.
The shocking case was described on Tuesday on social media by the Tarnobrzeg “Let's Protect Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków Association.
“Today we were overcome with helplessness and despair. We received a report that in one of the apartments in Tarnobrzeg there have been 30 cats left to their own devices for several days. At first, it seemed unbelievable to us. An apartment, a block of flats, 30 cats, there are neighbors after all… We went there and we found a tragedy: several dozen terribly hungry cats, no food, no water, two litter boxes impossibly full, a total stench and crap. The first thing we did was to feed the animals that were eager to eat. We found out that the caregiver had gone away for a few weeks and was “probably” coming back at the end of the month,” Izabela Płudowska, president of the Tarnobrzeg “Let's Protect the Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków Association, reported on social media. .
Kittens received first aid
On the same day, volunteers took seven cats from the apartment that needed immediate help. Four of them are only a few weeks old. The babies were hungry and dehydrated, they were taken to a temporary home by one of the volunteers from the association. – We took them at the last minute, otherwise they would not have survived – says Izabela Płudowska. The next three were about six months old. They were taken to the vet, but as the president of the association said, they are healthy but need a proper diet.
The remaining cats stayed in the apartment. The volunteers cleaned the litter boxes and left food and drinks for the animals. The association can protect 10 cats a day, because that's how many quarantine places it has. Any animal taken from the home must undergo such quarantine.
The youngest cats were secured first Tarnobrzeg Association “Let's Protect Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków
They will go to temporary homes
The next day, the volunteers took another dozen or so cats from the apartment. Seven went to a Foundation friendly with the association. Those who stayed in the apartment received food and fresh water. Ultimately, as the association informs, it wants to take all the cats out of the apartment.
“On the one hand, your heart is beating out of your chest to take them away immediately, on the other hand, there is common sense, because you have to have somewhere. We are obliged to comply with the regulations and protect animals living in the shelter,” explain the members of the organization.
According to the volunteers, people have already volunteered to take care of the cats taken from the apartment.
We have never seen such hungry cats before – comment animal defendersTarnobrzeg Association “Let's Protect Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków
The organization's appeal for support
Each cat will be examined by a vet, vaccinated and neutered. Only when the volunteers are sure that the kitten is healthy will they look for a home for it.
You can help the association financially today. The costs associated with keeping cats, vaccinations, treatment and sterilization exceed the organization's capabilities. A fundraising campaign for this purpose has started on the website ratujmyzwierzaki.pl.
People who want to support the collection can donate money here.
The case is being investigated by the police and the family court
As subinspector Beata Jędrzejewska-Wrona, press officer of the Municipal Police Headquarters in Tarnobrzeg, told us, the police received a notification about this incident on Wednesday.
– We are conducting activities in this matter under Article 35 of the Animal Protection Act – the uniformed officer told us.
It concerns animal abuse. He is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment. In the case of particularly cruel abuse, you may be sent to prison for five years.
The officers identified the owner of the cats. – The woman is abroad – subinspector Beata Jędrzejewska-Wrona told us. She has not been interviewed yet.
The cats had been home alone for at least a few daysTarnobrzeg Association “Let's Protect Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków
However, the matter does not end with cats. It turned out that the owner of the apartment, in addition to the cats, also left her 14-year-old daughter. The girl, as “Gazeta Wyborcza” found out, was under the care of a neighbor.
– The girl told about the situation at school. The facility informed us that the child was under the care of a neighbor because her mother had emigrated to the United States, and there were over 30 cats in their apartment – says Agata Rybka, director of the Municipal Family Support Center in Tarnobrzeg. MOPR employees informed the “Let's Protect Animals” Association about the situation of the animals, and the Family Court in Tarnobrzeg about the child's situation.
Agata Rybka in an interview with tvn24.pl admits that MOPR had no knowledge of the conditions in which the woman and her 14-year-old daughter were living, the family did not receive help from this facility, and none of the neighbors reported the situation.
She adds that the girl received help from a pedagogue and a psychologist at school, and the school also had no prior knowledge of the conditions in which the child lived.
Today, the family court will decide what to do next with the 14-year-old. MOPR employees have not been able to contact her mother yet.
Main photo source: Tarnobrzeg Association “Let's Protect Animals” Shelter at Machowiaków