CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
Veterinarian Sabina De Giacomo uses every available space at the Animal CARE Foundation East Honolulu Intervention Center to house the 50 animals looking for an adoptive or foster homes. The center recently rescued 35 cats from an apartment in Kalihi and was able to keep only seven, which needed acute care. The other 28 were placed temporarily in Waianae but still need homes.
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Caretakers sought for 35 sickly cats
The owner lost her home because she kept the animals and unit in filthy condition
An animal rights organization is looking for people to care for 35 cats whose owner was evicted from a Honolulu rental unit.
To help
For more information or to help, call 396-3333 or visit acfanimals.org. The Animal CARE Foundation is located at 6650 Hawaii Kai Drive, Suite 105.
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According to the Animal CARE Foundation, the owner was evicted about a week ago because she kept the cats and the rental unit in a filthy condition.
"Housing space and donations to offset the cost of food, litter and medical care are in very short supply," said Sabina De Giacomo, Animal CARE Foundation chief veterinarian.
The foundation, which follows a "no kill" policy and has limited space, seeks people to provide foster care for the cats as they heal and possibly adopt them afterward. The foundation also needs supplies for the large group.
The foundation is currently providing the cats with medical attention.
Some of the animals are in poor condition or malnourished. One cat had a broken leg. Others will undergo surgery. All of the cats are lice-infested and will need 30 days of proper medical attention.
The previous owner tried to care for them, such as sheltering a feral cat with a broken leg, but soon became overwhelmed, De Giacomo said. The woman called the foundation after learning she would be evicted.
"Somebody tried to do the right thing and then didn't find us until very late," De Giacomo said.
De Giacomo said the cats were fed but inadequately. Some are on liquid diets, some need better nutrition and some are fighting parasites.
"Most of them are pretty skinny, although one did die on the first day," De Giacomo said.
"We've got to be able to feed them, and we've got to be able to house them," she said. "Money is especially helpful. That buys food, cat litter, blankets, towels -- nobody sleeps on the floor here."
Animal CARE Foundation, an intervention center, is providing housing, medical care and foster care to about 400 animals including dogs, rabbits, rats, reptiles and birds.