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By Megan Greco
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
FORT ASHBY - Dawn Billymre, owner of Dawn’s Cat Sanctuary in Fort Ashby, recently rescued 35 cats, two dogs, and one rabbit from a man whom she said had previously been charged with animal cruelty and is currently in jail awaiting trial for unrelated incidents.
Dawn orchestrated the raid after what she said were numerous attempts to get the man, whom she would not identify, to let her take the cats. With the help of five others, Dawn was able to successfully remove the animals Monday from the unsanitary living conditions in which they were living.
A mutual friend persuaded the unidentified man to allow Dawn to take care of his animals while he was in jail, but Dawn says she does not intend to give them back.
“This is my way of taking care of them. I went over and got them because he isn’t allowed to have animals. Look how he has treated them,” she said.
Each cat had been kept in a small carrying cage where they ate, slept, and used the bathroom. Some had visible yellow stains on their paws and legs from urine. The carriers were spread out in two separate enclosures with minimal light and ventilation. The man had no running water or electric, so the animals were forced to deal with unbearable winters and summers.
During the raid, the volunteers found two dead kittens - one was decomposing under a pile of trash inside a building.
“The stench was horrific and there was excrement everywhere,” said Leslie, owner of Darby’s Place, a cat sanctuary in Mount Airy, Md., who also participated in the rescue.
Leslie took three cats and the rabbit to her sanctuary to give them proper care and medical attention. They will eventually be placed in a new home.
“ It will take months for these cats to heal emotionally. Most of them were almost catatonic when I reached in to get them,” said Leslie, “But, they’re out of that hellhole now and starting the healing process.”
According to Dawn, none of the animals had been spayed or neutered, nor had they had a distemper vaccination. Many were malnourished and had severe injuries. One kitten’s hips are dislocated and one is blind.
Dawn is currently housing 179 cats, including the ones she just rescued. The two dogs also temporarily stayed with her, but were picked up Wednesday by members of the Mineral County Humane Society.
According to Dawn, the man was previously imprisoned, leaving his animals to die alone. This time, they will be properly cared for and will hopefully find a new, loving home.
The neglected animals are in dire need of love, attention, and care. Anyone wishing to help may make a donation to Dawn’s Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1562, Fort Ashby WV 26719; or call her at 304-813-6106. The cats will also be for adoption once they are healthy again.
By Megan Greco
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
FORT ASHBY - Dawn Billymre, owner of Dawn’s Cat Sanctuary in Fort Ashby, recently rescued 35 cats, two dogs, and one rabbit from a man whom she said had previously been charged with animal cruelty and is currently in jail awaiting trial for unrelated incidents.
Dawn orchestrated the raid after what she said were numerous attempts to get the man, whom she would not identify, to let her take the cats. With the help of five others, Dawn was able to successfully remove the animals Monday from the unsanitary living conditions in which they were living.
A mutual friend persuaded the unidentified man to allow Dawn to take care of his animals while he was in jail, but Dawn says she does not intend to give them back.
“This is my way of taking care of them. I went over and got them because he isn’t allowed to have animals. Look how he has treated them,” she said.
Each cat had been kept in a small carrying cage where they ate, slept, and used the bathroom. Some had visible yellow stains on their paws and legs from urine. The carriers were spread out in two separate enclosures with minimal light and ventilation. The man had no running water or electric, so the animals were forced to deal with unbearable winters and summers.
During the raid, the volunteers found two dead kittens - one was decomposing under a pile of trash inside a building.
“The stench was horrific and there was excrement everywhere,” said Leslie, owner of Darby’s Place, a cat sanctuary in Mount Airy, Md., who also participated in the rescue.
Leslie took three cats and the rabbit to her sanctuary to give them proper care and medical attention. They will eventually be placed in a new home.
“ It will take months for these cats to heal emotionally. Most of them were almost catatonic when I reached in to get them,” said Leslie, “But, they’re out of that hellhole now and starting the healing process.”
According to Dawn, none of the animals had been spayed or neutered, nor had they had a distemper vaccination. Many were malnourished and had severe injuries. One kitten’s hips are dislocated and one is blind.
Dawn is currently housing 179 cats, including the ones she just rescued. The two dogs also temporarily stayed with her, but were picked up Wednesday by members of the Mineral County Humane Society.
According to Dawn, the man was previously imprisoned, leaving his animals to die alone. This time, they will be properly cared for and will hopefully find a new, loving home.
The neglected animals are in dire need of love, attention, and care. Anyone wishing to help may make a donation to Dawn’s Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 1562, Fort Ashby WV 26719; or call her at 304-813-6106. The cats will also be for adoption once they are healthy again.
