Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS), successfully rescued 80 cats from a severe hoarding situation at a two-bedroom apartment in Reno on August 20.
The cats were discovered living in unsanitary and hazardous conditions after an eviction of the resident who had been living there. Over the course of several days, Animal Services Officers safely and humanely trapped and removed 80 cats from inside the residence. All of the cats have been transported to the Washoe County Regional Animal Services shelter to receive immediate veterinary triage, behavioral evaluation and assessment for eventual transfer into an adoption program.
“The conditions these cats endured were incredibly challenging, but our primary focus now is their recovery and well-being,” said Shyanne Schull, director of Regional Animal Services. “An operation of this scale requires tremendous resources. Washoe County Regional Animal Services is now well over capacity for cats due to this massive influx, and we need the community’s support and patience while we process and care for these animals. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, specific details regarding the resident and potential criminal charges are being withheld at this time.”
How the Reno community can help:
- Since WCRAS is not an adoption facility, we encourage our transfer partners to consider transferring any of our available cats into their adoption program to free up critically needed space.
- Please do not trap or bring healthy cats to WCRAS during this capacity strain, unless they are sick or injured and require our immediate attention. Cats are free-roaming and are not required to be contained.
- Adopt or foster a cat from a local shelter or rescue group, to help build capacity for more adoption transfers.
- Follow us on social media for additional updates as this situation develops. https://www.facebook.com/WashoeAnimals/
- The shelter is accepting drop-offs or deliveries of critical supplies like canned cat food, kitty litter, and clean blankets at Washoe County Regional Animal Services, 2825 Longley #A, Reno NV 89502. We have a large green donation bin just inside our main entry doors that you can leave donations.
- A wish list for specific items can be viewed here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1VC6M13UPB2GF?ref_=wl_share
About Washoe County Regional Animal Services: Washoe County Regional Animal Services protects, promotes, and enhances public safety and animal care in Washoe County. WCRAS manages animal services field operations, shelter operations, and community pet resources for Reno, Sparks, and unincorporated Washoe County.
CONTACT: Quinn Sweet, qsweet@washoecounty.gov, 775-353-8917
###