The Stray Connection

The Stray Connection is helping with the recent Knoxville hoarding case. 60 live cats and 38 dead cats were found inside the home of a Murphy Road resident on February 5, 2012. The hoarder surrendered the cats to the Young Williams Animal Center (YWAC) on February 9. The Stray Connection was asked by YWAC to help with these cats on Friday, February 17. On Saturday, February 18, Stray Connection volunteers evaluated all 60 cats. Several of the cats had serious medical issues, upper respiratory infections, or were very scared or asocial. The Stray Connection took six cats on Sunday, February 19, and placed three additional cats into foster care on Saturday, February 25. Aslin, a beautiful Maine Coon, is severely underweight, and has a heart murmur. He also had trauma to his tail when he was younger. The first five vertebrae are fused so he cannot bend that portion of this tail, but he can wag the back half of his tail. Maddie is a long haired Himalayan mix female who suffers from cataracts and a condition called nystagmus, also known as quivering eyes. Clawdia is a petite female calico cat who is severely underweight and malnourished. Two of the cats, Mr Finnegan and Sir Keegan, have muscle atrophy in their back legs that should, thankfully, correct itself with proper nutrition and exercise. At this point, they are so week they have trouble walking and simply standing on their back legs, probably due to prolonged time spent in a cage or carrier. You can feel every bone in Sir Keegan's body with ease. He is filthy from being forced to lie in urine and feces for extended periods. Unlike animals from other hoarding cases, they are expected to fully recover and live healthy, happy lives. All of the rescued cats are negative for feline leukemia and aids and about 1-2 years old. The Stray Connection intends find a good, permanent home for each of these loving cats. We will continue to help YWAC until all 60 cats are placed. The Stray Connection is also dedicated to sharing information on hoarding and abuse. In bringing the public’s attention to this, we hope to curtail the excess of brutal and senseless animal neglect and abuse by increasing community awareness, encouraging and supporting individuals to report any information or suspicions concerning possible hoarding, abuse or neglect situations to local authorities (e.g., animal control officers or local law enforcement officers). Please take action if you have knowledge that or suspect an animal may be suffering. You may be their last hope

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