Shelter struggles to care for seized cats and dogs

Staff at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS) and outside animal rescue groups are still working to treat animals that were seized earlier this month in an animal cruelty case in Buda. As a result, the shelter is continuing to operate with modified hours and will be closed to the public through Sunday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The PAWS shelter in Kyle announced earlier that it taken in at least 20 animals, most of which were put in foster homes or on the adoption floor. Animal Investigation and Response assisted with coordinating volunteers to work with the seized animals. Six volunteers from the RedRover organization have been in town this week helping animal services workers provide care and comfort to the animals. RedRover Responders traveled from Canada, Louisiana and elsewhere in Texas to help out. In its 31-year history, RedRover has responded to 192 natural disasters and other crisis situations across the country, including hurricanes Harvey, Katrina and Ike, the San Marcos floods, and many cruelty and neglect cases.

With the sudden influx — Hays County authorities seized 176 animals in the animal cruelty case — the shelter does not have space to take in cats right now and is only handling emergency intakes for dogs on a case-by-case basis, according to a press release from the city of San Marcos. The animals were seized Nov. 1 when Hays County animal control officers responded to a service call about inhumane conditions for animals at a residence in the 200 block of Towhee Drive. The officers discovered 161 cats and 15 dogs in “various health states,” according to a press release from the sheriff’s office. Animal control officers said the occupants of the residence said they are a nonprofit organization that takes care of animals.

On Nov. 8, the Hays County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace court held an administrative animals and determined that the animals taken from defendant Melissa Caffey’s residence had been treated cruelly. Caffey, who is listed on LinkedIn as the founder and owner of The Leisure Cat Animal Rescue, was fined $1,750, and the court ordered that ownership of the animals be turned over to the SMRAS.

Dogs that were seized from Buda are being made ready for adoption on a case-by-case basis, the city said, but cats are currently not available for adoption. One of the seized cats tested positive for histoplasmosis, a fungus-based infection associated with concentrated animal droppings, the city said, so all remaining cats must be held for evaluation. The SMRAS is seeking funding to help pay for histoplasmosis testing and treatment.

The city stated that when the shelter receives unsanitary and malnourished animals, the animals must be cleaned and inspected. Workers then attempt to rehydrate any dehydrated animals and introduce food. The animals also receive thorough medical evaluations from veterinarians and are treated as needed, from simple care to surgery or the administration of antibiotics. 

“The seized animals have been housed in a vacant climate-controlled office space and attended to daily by staff and volunteers,” the press release states. “Arrangements are being made to move the remaining offsite animals to the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter.”

SMRAS is in need of donated items to help with the influx of animals:

• Cat transportation carriers
• Laundry detergent
• Disposable litter pans
• Canned/wet cat food
• Kitty Litter/Equine pelletized bedding
• Disinfectant wipes
• Disposable food/water bowls or trays
• Hand sanitizer
• Diamond adult dog food

Anyone who believes their missing pet could be among those seized from The Leisure Cat are encouraged to email a photo and details about the animal to animalservicesinfo@sanmarcostx.gov. Staff will work to address each inquiry.