Huge feline rescue revives optimism in general

 (We interrupt our regularly scheduled blog post-programming to bring you this thank-you note.) 

                                                                                                     St. Hubert pix

We’re living in uncertain and often scary times right now. There’s very little we can do to change the way things are going in America except vow to vote in November and work our hardest to win others to our side and assure that they vote too.

With much to feel bummed and angry about, it’s easy to fall into depression or cynicism toward the world at large. But then, at times so low they seem bottomless, something wonderful happens to re-charge us and renew our faith in people (There are humane humans out there!) and the future.

Thank you, St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, for rescuing more than 175 cats who were living in horrid conditions that could only have grown worse.  Thank you for removing them from the dilapidated Wantage (Sussex County) house lacking both running water and electricity, and from their owner, who had lost control of the situation.

Thanks to St. Hubert’s, the cats moved from sheer squalor (think: grime, filth, foulness, decay, wretchedness . . . ) to safety and normalcy, starting with medical attention -- including, finally, spaying and neutering.

Thanks to St. Hubert’s, the cats now enjoy clean conditions, loving attention, aromatherapy, catnip, classical music and toys (possibly for the first time).

Thanks to St. Hubert’s, the following summary of the cats’ changed lives can now appear on the organization’s website (https://www.sthuberts.org/blog/2018/7/6/st-huberts-responds-to-feline-emergency-during-heat-wave).

The rescued cats are making wonderful progress.  The Noah’s Ark Campus is dedicated to their care and cannot currently welcome visitors.  All pets for adoption are housed at Madison, North Branch and Everyday Adoption Center inside PetSmart Mt. Olive and are available during regular adoption hours.

It’s wonderful to see the kitties from the Sussex location relaxing, seeking human attention and looking happier and healthier with each passing day.  Easy access to good nutritious food and clean housing, not to mention being parasite free and having their medical needs addressed, is allowing them to return to “normal” feline behaviors.  Some are enjoying playing with toys, probably for the first time ever and individual personalities are becoming more evident. 

Spay/neuter has been completed for about a third of the group and surgeries are taking place daily.  Eight of the cats have just been transferred to Madison and are available for adoption.  On Friday, July 13 the first few pairs were delivered to their new farm homes—we’re lucky to have additional homes waiting for some of the others once they are ready.

With details, images and videos, the back story on this huge and hugely marvelous rescue can be savored there too. There are also options to donate to St. Hubert’s. (Please do!)

Thank you, St. Hubert’s, and everyone else who pitched in on this rescue, for acting on behalf of these cats -- and for the welcome spill-over effect on all of us who learned about it and now feel much more optimistic about everything, including our ability to vanquish the evil dragons that threaten.

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