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Local News
Cats cleared for adoption By Gina Childress | Daily Times Staff Writer It looks like the 47 cats removed Monday from a home in Black Creek are healthy enough to either be sent to a feline rescue operation or adopted. The cats were removed from the home of Dee Burke Monday afternoon after animal enforcement received a complaint about a very strong odor coming from the residence at 312 Mercer St. Upon inspecting the home, Wilson County animal control officers found unsafe conditions not only for the animals, but for the adults living there as well. Maj. Mickey Wilson, the head of county animal enforcement, said the odor inside was overwhelming and the conditions were not sanitary due to cat feces, urine and fleas throughout the home. The owners of the cats were not charged because they agreed to surrender the animals. Wilson said Tuesday afternoon that six of the cats were randomly selected and tested for AIDS and feline leukemia. All of the tests came back negative, which means the cats will not be euthanized. Wilson and Holly Carmichael, the director of the Wilson County Humane Society, said they are relieved at the results of the tests and are now on a mission to find the cats places to live. "We would like to try and get as many of these cats into a feline rescue or have someone adopt one," said Wilson. "I was able to give five of the kittens this morning to a transport team that shuttles animals to and from rescue organizations between various states," said Carmichael. Both Wilson and Carmichael believe the animals are adoptable and would make good pets. Carmichael said the cats were all handled and cared about, so they are very socialized. "They just need someone to give them a chance," she said. "With some minor treatment, I believe they will make great pets. Once you get them into a healthy home and environment, you will have a healthy cat." But these aren't the only cats at the shelter that need homes. "Just this morning I had one woman bring in 11 more cats that she had in her home," said Wilson. "Her husband told her she had to get rid of them because they had too many." In order to adopt from the shelter, there are a few conditions that must be met. "If people adopt from the shelter, they will need to have the animal spayed or neutered," said Wilson. "It is a lot better to have the animal fixed than to have so many animals being euthanized or running wild." Carmichael agrees with Wilson. "If you have an animal and it is not spayed or neutered, you have an added responsibility to make sure that your animal is not producing unwanted litters," she said. "With over 2,500 animals being put down last year, I really don't see why the average person doesn't have their animal spayed or neutered. It is senseless." gina@wilsontimes.com | 265-7821
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