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Shelter gets custody of abused animals

More than 170 animals seized from a residence in Buda on Nov. 1 are now in the hands of the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS), which is looking to adopt the animals out, according to a press release from the Hays County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace court.

The court held an administrative hearing on Nov. 8 and determined that the animals — 161 cats and 15 dogs – taken from defendant Melissa Caffey’s residence had been treated cruelly. JP Scott J. Cary determined that Caffey would pay the accrued cost of transporting, impounding and immunizing the animals — an amount the court determined to be $1,750. The court also ordered that ownership of the animals be turned over to the shelter and that the animals are to be adopted out. Those animals that are too sick to be adopted, or not adopted, “will be humanely destroyed as necessary,” according to the press release.

Animal control officers from the Hays County Sheriff’s Department, responding to a service call about inhumane conditions, went to a residence in the 200 block of Towhee Drive in Buda on Nov. 1 and found the animals in “various health states,” the sheriff’s department said in a press release, declining to answer additional media questions.

Officers said the occupants of the residence said they are a nonprofit organization that takes care of the animals. Caffey is listed on LinkedIn as the founder and owner of The Leisure Cat Animal Rescue.

SMRAS operations

The sudden intake of animals has affected operations at the animal shelter, limiting its hours and the availability of reclaim and adoption services. The animal shelter will also be closed to the public as usual on Sunday and on Monday in observance of Veterans Day.

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, the shelter will reopen from 1-6 p.m. for adoptions and reclaims. A Facebook post from the city indicated that staff expect the shelter to have modified hours for the next one to two weeks.

SMRAS is looking for donations of goods, money and time as they continue their response to the intake of animals. The shelter is seeking volunteers to help clean up adoptable animals. Volunteers, both new and existing, who are interested in assisting at the shelter should contact Animal Investigation and Response, at http://www.animalinvestigationandresponse.org/volunteer/

People interested in fostering animals should contact PAWS at info@pawsshelter. org. The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is accepting monetary donations at https://bit.ly/2qv8BOP. Items the shelter needs – including cat and kitten toys, disposable paper food trays, puppy pads and gift cards to PetSmart or Tractor Supply – can be dropped off at the shelter at 750 River Road.

During a city council workshop meeting about the animal shelter on Nov. 7, City Manager Bert Lumbreras praised the shelter staff for the work they have done in taking care of the seized animals. “I can tell you that staff has just done an amazing job,” he told the council. “When you have a case when you’re picking up a large number of animals, it puts a lot of stress on staff and resources, and everyone has really stepped up.”

Lumbreras said the shelter staff, working with partner organizations, coordinated the transport of the animals and the creation of temporary space for them. Veterinarians have come in to examine and observe the animals, he said.

The paper reached out to the city to inquire about the animals’ condition and what plans the shelter might have to get the animals adopted out quickly. A press release from the city said that the process of placing the animals is underway, starting with out- reach to potential owners or the originating organization linked to the microchips found in about a quarter of the rescued animals. Redemption of those animals will be conducted by appointment to facilitate proper process, according to the city.

“The remaining unchipped animals will be re-evaluated and made available for adoption or placed with a transfer partner organization,” the press release continued. “A significant number of the animals suffer from a variety of health issues and are being evaluated and treated by a veterinarian.”

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 [email protected]. Staff will work to address each inquiry.

Photos of animals are not being released at this time, the city said.

PAWS AS A PARTNER

The PAWS shelter in Kyle noted in a Facebook post that it had taken in some of the animals (20 as of Monday) and that most of those had gone into foster homes or onto the adoption floor. PAWS posted that it is seeking monetary donations to its medical fund to help treat the animals and get them spayed and neutered. Donations can be made at https://pawsshelter.org/ knight-inshining-armor-fund/. PAWS is also asking for paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, cat litter and Purina One food for kittens and puppies as well as for adult cats and dogs.

Lumbreras had mentioned PAWS as one of the San Marcos shelter’s partners that has been heavily involved in helping with the sudden influx of animals.

Dripping Springs Century-News

P.O. Box 732
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620

Phone: (512) 858-4163
Fax: (512) 847-9054