Connecticut animal welfare organizations New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society, Wells Valley Cat Rescue and New Fairfield Animal Control recently responded to an alleged hoarding case involving more than 70 cats.
“What began as an effort to provide refuge for stray cats turned into an unmanageable situation due to financial hardship and lack of access to veterinary care,” said Agi Pace, NFSAW president and shelter director.
Pace said the New Fairfield family had originally taken in stray cats into their trailer to give them a safe place to heal and provide food and medical attention. The family reached out to NFSAW last Monday.
“During the pandemic, financial struggles made it impossible to afford necessary spay and neuter procedures,” Pace said. “When they lost their home, they refused to abandon their cats, moving them instead to the trailer that now serves as their shelter.”
Pace said her organization initially heard from the family concerned about mother cats in need of rehoming last Monday. Pace said the family member didn’t disclose the entire situation.
“Out of fear of being judged, they were hesitant to disclose the full extent of the situation,” Pace said. “Upon assessment, the rescue team discovered that the family had been doing their best to care for the cats, who were living in a customized trailer equipped with cubbies, climbing branches, heat, food, fresh water, litter boxes, and even a television for companionship. However, the cat population grew faster than the family could manage.”
Pace said the number of cats living in the residence were double the initial estimate of 35. Several are in need of professional medical care. Pace said many of the cats are suffering from upper respiratory infections, eye infections and feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus. One cat had already passed away, three have been moved into foster care and one cat and 11 kittens have been placed with a rescue.
Pace singled out a few cats that are in good health.
“Some of the cats are extremely friendly, such as Benny, a buff tabby who craves attention, and Rosie, a gray and white cat with a nurturing nature. Others, like Tulip, are shy, preferring the company of fellow felines over human interaction,” Pace said.
There are still more than 60 cats that need placement. Pace said the trio of organizations have “dedicated two days to deep cleaning the trailer and proving essential supplies.”
Pace said the need for help from the public is urgent.
“The organizations are in desperate need of cat food, litter (specifically paper pellets), and additional fosters, especially for adult cats,” Pace said. “Fosters must be able to keep the cats separate from their own pets or have no cats at home. Additionally, with veterinary costs piling up, funding is critically low. Medical care for these cats will cost thousands of dollars on top of the organizations’ regular yearly expenses.”
Best Friends Animal Society agreed to take a large number of FeLV-positive cats. The testing can be cone when the cats are removed from the trailer. The organizations involved are looking for the public to help with adoptions, fostering, donating and spreading the word of the need.
Brealynn White, the shelter operations coordinator at New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society, was one of people that responded to the situation at the New Fairfield property.
“We wanted to get the sick and most vulnerable cats out first,” White said. “We have about 22 cages in our building, and we are trying to figure out what is next.”
White said the cats all have names and many of them have stories from the owners.
“I’m one of those animal control officers. If someone reaches out and looks for help, I will work with them,” New Fairfield Animal Control Officer Lora Boynton said. “This is not a case of mental disease. It’s two people that got overwhelmed. After COVID hit, they couldn’t afford vet care.”
Boynton said the couple lives in a trailer next to the New Fairfield home. She said the trailer is a “nice size” and that cats are given fresh food and water daily.
“The cats kept multiplying and they reached out for help,” Boynton said. “I wanted to work with them and get those cats vet care. Unless I see signs of neglect, malicious intent or cruelty, this was just a matter of helping someone in our community who was overwhelmed, and they realized they got in way over their heads. These are two people that love cats and started taking in stray cats but couldn’t afford vet care.”
Boynton each time she goes to the trailer there is fresh food and water for the cats. Boynton was one of the few that went to the property each day last week removing cats, cleaning and disinfecting the trailer.
The organizations are systematically taking out the cats a few as at a time. The goal is to have all of the cats out of the trailer by the end of April.
Boynton said the state needs more low-cost spay and neuter locations.
There is a proposed bill HB-06231 in the state legislature that would restrict the use of euthanasia on feral cat populations and require the involvement of rescues in the trapping of feral cats by animal control officers.
Earlier this month, there were nearly 80 people that submitted written testimony with strong representation from both sides. The majority of the animal control officers opposed the bill in written testimony last month. Many of the animal control officers said they don’t oppose restriction of euthanasia for feral cat populations but have other concerns about the bill. Others wrote in support of the bill with the sentiment that they were against euthanasia.
Anyone looking to donate supplies can drop off or ship items to the NFSAW shelter at 223 State Route 37, New Fairfield, CT 06812. Donations can be made to https://givebutter.com/nfsawhoarding, an online fundraiser.
Originally Published: April 3, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT