City non-profit responds to call for help, rescues 43 cats from hoarder

Nearly four dozen cats have been taken out of a hoarding situation by a Winnipeg non-profit and its leadership said mass rescues are happening more often.

Officials with Tails of Freedom Rescue Inc. said the organization was contacted last week with a request for assistance and has been helping the 43 felines.

“There’s another 20-ish waiting to come in,” said Kevin Dowbeta, Tails of Freedom’s co-ordinator of adoption events and supply.

He said it cost the rescue about $20,000 for intake and veterinary care; some of the cats had upper-respiratory infections, ear mites and other health issues.

The rescue is not disclosing where the animals were living, citing privacy concerns.

Fosters have stepped up in a big way, but Dowbeta said this type of operation is occurring more frequently.

Dowbeta said Tails of Freedom encourages owners to get their pets spayed and neutered to help keep populations low.

He said it is rewarding to help animals in need find permanent homes.

“We’ve brought in 230 cats, to date, this year,” he said.

Dowbeta also said there’s no judgment from the group when there are calls for help with a large number of animals. He said they understand how quickly things can get out of control.

“My messaging is, simply, the sooner the better,” he said.

“If you can reach out to an organization — it doesn’t need to be ours — but any local organization can help get a situation back under control before it gets completely out of hand.”

Dowbeta said he expects the cats will be available for adoption in about a month.

morgan.modjeski@freepress.mb.ca