Local volunteers coordinated by the Cordell Animal Shelter Project (CASP) rescued 15 cats from a residence in Cordell over the weekend.
About a week before the rescue operation, Cordell Police Chief Brandon Rogers notified CASP’s Lisa Gregory about a residence in which he suspected 40 or more cats were housed in violation of Cordell’s animal ordinances. Gregory mobilized volunteers and starting organizing the supplies needed for a large-scale animal rescue, including haz-mat suits, masks and rebreathers, gloves, animal crates, veterinary supplies, and expert assistance.
But the plan changed. Chief Rogers contacted her a few days before the scheduled rescue and asked her to accompany him to the residence in question. Once there, they discovered about 20 cats in an environment that was nothing like they expected. Gregory said the home was clean and orderly and most of the cats were well socialized instead of feral, as tends to happen with so many animals in one place.
The volunteers ended up removing 15 cats from the premises and leaving five, which kept the family in compliance with city ordinances. Local veterinarian Kyle Harper and his staff assisted with medical care and treatment for the rescued cats and will be spaying and neutering the animals thanks in part to a grant obtained by CASP through the Oklahoma Humane Society.
Gregory said she discovered at the end of the rescue that the woman who owns the residence was given a small number of cats, but couldn’t afford to have them spayed and neutered, so they kept breeding until more than 40 animals lived in the home. She reportedly moved 20 or so of the cats out into the country because she feared they would be put down if they were taken by the shelter.
In addition to the rescue operations, CASP is currently working on two major projects. First, she said, she is coordinating with the Oklahoma Humane Society to bring a mobile spay/neuter clinic to Cordell, hopefully in September or October of this year. Secondly, she is working with the city government to build a modern animal shelter to replace the city’s current pound. There are a number of details to be worked out on the shelter, she said, but is looking forward to working with city officials to complete the project as quickly as possible.