Rescue Of 120 Cats Underway From Paterson Home, Adopters Needed

PATERSON, NJ — Local rescues have been working together with Paterson Animal Control to remove 120 cats and kittens from a home after the overwhelmed owner asked for help, according to animal advocates and officials.

Wayne-based organizations Homeless Tails and FOWA Rescue are assisting the Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge (RBARI) of Oakland and animal control officers with getting the cats out of the home.

On Thursday, RBARI estimated that about 80 cats were left in the home. Rescue efforts began late last week at the three-story home in Paterson after the elderly homeowner called animal control, officials told NorthJersey.com.

"With the help from these organizations everything should be okay," chief animal control officer John DeCando told the publication.

The felines are described as friendly but many needed medical care, the shelters said. Some cats had neurological conditions, were blind, or had scarring on the eyes. Others were pregnant, sick, or just a few months old, according to the animal groups.

Shelters are asking for support in donating for the felines' medical care, fostering some of the cats, and ultimately getting them adopted to loving homes.

"We need adopters, fosters, and rescue partners who would be willing to help," said RBARI Executive Director Megan Brinster. "From seniors to kittens, there are so many cats who deserve a second chance and we are committed to doing all we can to help, but truly need the support of the community in a situation like this.”

Some of the cats are also available to be adopted at the Randolph Regional Animal Shelter.

For the latest updates on the cats and more information on how to help, check the social media pages for RBARI, Homeless Tails, and FOWA Rescue.