20 Rescued Cats From Prison Need Homes

Carolina Cats, a non-profit cat rescue in Columbia, needs the public's help to find permanent homes for 20 kittens and cats rescued from the Goodman Correctional Institution on Broad River Road.

Pam Jackson, of Carolina Cats, said she is desperately trying to get 20 of the 25 cats her organization was able to rescue from the women's prison before prison officials called animal control.

Jackson said she was contacted by several people in the community, including one of her volunteers who also volunteers at the prision, about the cats that have grown in numbers over the last three years.

"Too many litters were born this spring and they were going to call animal control," Jackson said. "Unfortunately, we don't have a shelter and are overwhelmed with all the cats we have already taken in the past."

Five of the cats were recently adopted, but Jackson said without having a shelter she doesn't know how much longer she or the organization's other volunteers would be able to keep and financially support them all. Three kittens are currently in foster homes.

All of the animals have been tested, spayed or neutered, and have received their shots, Jackson said.

Having recently undergone months of chemotherapy for cancer, Jackson said she has had to reasssess the number of cats she's able to take on herself.

Carolina Cats is run by volunteers only, so the amount of time and money needed to take care of the animals is a lot for the group.

And, there are still more than a dozen cats that need to be rescued.

"There are another half a dozen or more adult cats and perhaps a dozen or more kittens that we still need to rescue," Jackson said. "And we must also pick up and have (the remaining feral adults spayed or neutered), which is time consuming, and these must also be cared for here for a few days while they recover before being returned to the prison."

"A small donation would be appreciated to help with the veterinarian costs, but is not mandatory," she said. "We just need committed adopters who can offer responsible, permanent homes."

For more information about how to adopt a cat or kitten, visit Carolina Cats web site or the organization's Facebook page. Dontions of pet food, towels, bedding and other pet items in addition to monetary donations also are accepted.