20 Sick Cats, 1 Dog Rescued From Bucks County Home

RICHLAND, PA — The Bucks County SPCA rescued 20 sick cats and 1 dog from "extremely unsanitary conditions" in a home in Richland Meadows Mobile Home Park last week, the shelter reported Friday.

The property owner had recently been evicted and BCSPCA's Chief Humane Society Police Officer Nikki Thompson was dispatched to the home on May 6 by Constable Jason Searock of Richland Township.

Upon approaching the home, she said an intense smell of ammonia from the urine inside was evident — and that upon entering, the fumes were so strong that they made her eyes run and her throat burn.

She described conditions inside as "filthy," saying stacked cages were squeezed into the cramped rooms, the few litterboxes overflowed with cat feces, and some animals wandered loose while others were caged.

"One of the caged cats appeared to be wheezing as it tried to breathe," the animal shelter wrote in its report. "Three cats were trapped in the tiny bathroom."

All 20 cats and the one dog found in the home had fleas, the BCSPCA said. The dog appeared to have multiple tumors and several of the cats had severe upper respiratory and eye infections.

Officer Thompson spoke at length with and encouraged the owner to surrender the animals to BCSPCA in order for them to get necessary medical care, the shelter said. When the owner refused help, Thompson secured a warrant from the court for their removal.

All 21 animals are now safely and comfortably housed at the BCSPCA’s two shelters in Quakertown and Lahaska, the organization reported.

"Each animal has been fully examined by the organization’s medical team and begun the treatments necessary to ease their suffering," the BCSPCA wrote. "Some of the cats required intravenous fluids upon arrival, antibiotics for their severe upper respiratory infections, and all of them were treated for fleas."

One cat is suffering from entropion, a painful eye condition in which the eyelashes turn inward and scrape constantly against the eyes. The shelter said surgery and extensive follow-up care will be required to fix the problem.

“These animals were being kept in deplorable conditions and had not been receiving necessary veterinary care,” Thompson said. “Unfortunately, this is not a unique case. The BCSPCA is called upon to respond to nearly 500 complaints of neglect and abuse animals each year in Bucks County.”

Only a few days later, on May 12, BCSPCA responded to a call for help in Falls Township, rescuing a group of amphibians, reptiles, and rodents abandoned in a hotel room. A veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals is directing their care, the shelter said.

BCSPCA executive director Linda Reider urged anyone in Bucks County who is struggling to care for their animals to reach out before the situation becomes dire.

“If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to us," she said. "The BCSPCA has resources to assist in many situations and expert compassionate staff members. If you suspect animals are being neglected or abused, report your concerns confidentially to BCSPCA online or call 215-794-7425. Residents can be assured that the organization will follow up to rescue and resolve situations."

Animal cruelty charges have been filed against the owner of the Richland Township animals, the shelter said.

The BCSPCA, represented by pro bono legal counsel from McCarter & English, LLP, plans to file a civil action against the owner under Pennsylvania’s Costs of Care of Seized Animals Act.

Donations to offset the cost of providing food, shelter, and medical care for these animals can be made to the organization’s Animal Relief Fund online or by calling (215) 794-7425.

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