3-Week-Old Kittens Rescued From Essex County Home In Dire Condition

SALEM, MA — Two three-week-old kittens rescued in critical condition from an Essex County home highlight the importance of spaying and neutering dogs and cats to help prevent overpopulation and unwanted litters, the MSPCA-Angell said.

The kittens were two of three survivors of a litter and were discovered with severe anemia and very low red blood cell counts caused by a terrible flea infection.

One of the kittens did not survive despite an emergency blood transfusion performed at the Larson Kelly Community Clinic immediately after they arrived earlier this month.

"We've been doing everything we can to keep these kittens alive," MSPCA-Angell Vice President of Animal Protection Mike Keiley said. "Unfortunately, one of them didn't make it, but we're cautiously optimistic we can save the other two."

Keiley said the kittens came from a home where three of the seven cats were not spayed or neutered and that the owner called for help after two other littermates died.

"Their owner loves these cats but is older and dealing with their own medical issues that, coupled with the challenges of finding affordable spay/neuter, led to this," he said.

MSPCA Law Enforcement continues to work with the kittens' owner to get the remaining cats the care they need, including flea/tick treatment and preventatives.

The Essex County cats will be among 200 animals getting spayed or neutered during the MSPCA-Angell’s Giving Day on Thursday, a goal Keiley says is necessary to address a critical backlog that, if not remedied, could see the number of homeless animals in Massachusetts spike.

"Our local intake numbers have increased steadily over the past several years, something that shelters across the state are seeing as well," he explained. "Spay/neuter is a vital piece in stopping that, but the procedures are often challenging to get because of a shortage of veterinarians and support staff, as well as a lack of facilities in many areas."

"Of course, cost is also a huge barrier," Keiley said. "Given how large the backlog is, we need to take action now, which is why we’re committed to doing hundreds of surgeries in a single day — a lofty, but necessary goal."

The procedures will take place across MSPCA clinics, as well as in Springfield—where the organization will work with MASS coalition partner Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center (TJO). The Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society is also partnering on the event.

The kittens are expected to remain in the MSPCA's care for roughly five more weeks before the organization will begin searching for their new homes.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)