SNOHOMISH, WASHINGTON - Soaked in feces and urine, dozens of cats are now receiving medical attention after their owners abandoned them.
Pasado’s Safe Haven animal rescue swooped in and rescued the cats on Thursday from a home located on the 7100 block of 142nd Drive SE near Snohomish. But some people believe the county dropped the ball and should have done more to protect these animals.
However, county officials said their hands are tied. Investigators said they could not get in touch with the homeowner, plus animal control officers never had probable cause — so they were not able to get a warrant to get inside the building.
Pasado’s Safe Haven volunteers wore heavy-duty rubber gloves and hazmat suits when they entered the home.
“We obviously don’t want that on us, so this is our protection,” said Ashley Wisdom.
Inside the home were dozens of cats and kittens covered in urine and feces — and so was everything else in the home.
Neighbors said the homeowner took off on Christmas Day, leaving the animals alone in the cold house.
“Poor animals,” said neighbor Ed Coons. “They can’t help themselves.”
“Everything inside the home reeks of ammonia – the conditions were unhealthy at best,” said volunteer Kendra Madison. “Upper respiratory infections are something we expect to see in conditions like this.”
Neighbors said animal control officers left food and traps to help lure the cats outside but to no avail.
“I trapped one and it freaked out,” said neighbor Sam May. “I felt terrible.”
Pasado’s executive director, Laura Henderson, said the homeowner gave them permission to enter the home and take the cats before they became any sicker.
Henderson believes the county could have worked harder to get the cats the help they so badly needed.
“If the system was working and Snohomish County Animal Control was doing their job, we would not have to be here today,” she said.
Neighbors are just happy to see the animals leaving the filthy conditions and getting needed medical attention.
Rescuers discovered three dead kittens and more than 30 cats inside the home. Pasado’s will evaluate the animals for infection /or injury.