In a small Oklahoma town known for its Wild West charm, a local animal sanctuary usually brings joy to the community by sharing adorable videos of dogs in cowboy hats.
But one morning, the atmosphere at the sanctuary shifted dramatically when the staff made a heartbreaking discovery that no animal lover would ever want to see.
For the second time in just a few months, someone had committed an unthinkable act of cruelty that shocked everyone.
It was a rainy spring night when over 15 cats were abandoned in cages outside the sanctuary, left to endure the cold rain all night.
Some had managed to escape their cages and were found shivering and meowing desperately in a drainage ditch.
Free To Live Animal Sanctuary felt they had no choice but to show the harsh reality they were facing, sharing in a Facebook post:
“15 plus cats dumped in crates who sat in the rain all night. Some have escaped and we can hear them crying from the drainage ditch. We will have to spend the morning trying to trap them and hope we get to them before the elements do.”
The sight was gut-wrenching. The cats, soaking wet and freezing, were trapped in filthy crates. They’d spent the night in their own waste, and by morning, they were too weak to even cry for help.
In this rural part of Guthrie, there isn’t a local shelter to provide support, so the sanctuary teamed up with another rescue group, Helping Community Paws and Claws (HCPC).
Together, they’re trying to find out who did this to poor cats, offering a $700 reward for the information. They’re also working hard to spread the word about the importance of spaying and neutering pets, hoping to prevent future tragedies.
Sadly, this wasn’t the first time something like this happened. Just a few months earlier, 30 cats were dumped on a nearby street, left to fend for themselves in the heat.
That time, the police managed to arrest three individuals who now face charges of animal cruelty. But the problem persists, and the rescuers are feeling overwhelmed.
Yet, despite the challenges, there is a glimmer of hope. Thanks to generous donations from the community, the sanctuary has been able to care for the 15 cats.
They’ve provided them with warmth, food, and love, sharing in an update:
“Thank you to everyone for their shares and donations and comments. It means more to us than we could ever express here. Please keep it coming – it takes a huge financial commitment to help 15 all at once.”
They even managed to catch the two escapees who’d been hiding in the nearby woods, adding:
“The afternoon was spent drying everyone with towels and getting their temps back up and cozy. This morning they are moving around and eating like champs.”
As they prepare the cats for their new homes, the sanctuary continues to press on, determined to make a difference.
While the road ahead may be long, they are not alone – thanks to the kindness and compassion of people who refuse to turn a blind eye to animal suffering and do everything they can to help.
With their support, the sanctuary has turned this tragedy into a hopeful story of new beginnings for the 15 rescued cats, showing how much kindness can make a difference.
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