Greater Long Island coverage is funded in part by Toresco & Simonelli, a boutique injury and family law firm in West Islip. They fight for their clients. Click here to get in touch.
Authorities discovered some 120 cats living in poor conditions inside a West Islip home earlier this week — a number of which were on sale for thousands of dollars online.
Officials from the Suffolk SPCA and the Town of Islip Hazmat team responded to a Patricia Avenue property after concerns were raised regarding the large number of animals inside, News 12 Long Island reported.
Responders described the home as having extremely unhealthy conditions that made breathing difficult, the report said. Many of the cats were found with matted fur and open wounds; officials said the animals were generally uncared for.
Multiple animal rescue groups assisted in removing the cats from the home. Neighbors told News 12 they had noticed a large number of cats at the property but assumed the owners were running a legitimate breeding operation.
Lt. Raymond Alvarez with the Suffolk SPCAuthorities said the homeowner had been selling Maine Coon cats online, using the website Graro Maine Coon Cattery, for at least 20 years. Cats are listed for thousands of dollars on the site. Investigators are reviewing if those sale activities were lawful.
Save a Stray Rescue Inc. and Last Hope rescue 38 of an estimated 120 cats found living inside the home, according to Save a Stray’s Facebook post about the rescue. Several other animal rescue groups took in the other cats.
The Suffolk SPCA said all rescued cats will receive veterinary care and will be made available for adoption once medically cleared.
Top: Facebook/Save a Stray Rescue Inc.
