A rescue in Meshoppen, PA, gets creative to find homes for over 40 black cats, holding a ‘Black Cat Bonanza.’
When called to a hoarding situation, you never truly know what you’re going to find. It’s unfortunate that these situations happen since we all just want to help all the animals we can. The story of this particular situation is an emotional rollercoaster, so sit and enjoy the ride.
Ten…Twenty…Thirty…Forty Black Cats?
Images via Facebook/Meshoppen CAT Rescue
Meshoppen Cat Rescue is located in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania. On the rescue’s Facebook page they state they are a 501(c)3 nonprofit, and they take in the unwanted, sick, and homeless floofs we all know and love.
Going about their normal day, the rescue got a call regarding 19 cats in Lake Winola needing rescue from a hoarding situation. But when they got there, it was much more than they expected. There were 19 cats, alright, but more kept coming across the rescue’s path.
They kept finding more and more cats in the home around every corner. There were so many that Meshoppen Cat Rescue had to do some tricky maneuvering to try and find them all. All in all, they found 40 cats. That’s more than double what they were told! And the most interesting part of it all? All but one had black fur. Oh, and later, one of the black cats had kittens, so the number of cats requiring help went up by about six.
To keep the cats separated from who they caught to who they didn’t, the owner of the building that the cats were found in let the rescue put the captured ones into the garage.
“The garage is not heated, and there’s no lights out there, so we just keep them there and try to do the best we can with taking care of them there each and every day, morning and night,” said Paula Foux, president of the Meshoppen Cat Rescue.
Once all the cats were caught, they were transported to the shelter and got checkups, spayed or neutered, and vaccines. But now came the big problem: how were they going to adopt out 40 black cats?
The Idea For Black Cat Bonanza
A couple pics from the huge event via Facebook
It’s understandable what this person was trying to do. Black cats get a pretty bad rap since, for centuries, people have seen them as “bad luck.” They are overlooked in shelters, and people have been known to purposely hurt them just because of phony superstitions. As cat lovers, and even here at CaM with our precious Cole, we all know black cats are the best (don’t worry, all the other kitties are just as perfect!). It’s no wonder the owner was just trying to do their part in giving these babies a home.
Mama cat with 6 babies rescued during the ‘Black Cat Bonanza’
“We have a very hard time adopting out black cats and kittens. We just think it’s because people are so superstitious. [The cats] are very loving, they try to make themselves known, but it seems like they just get pushed aside.”
Black Cat Bonanza
So how do they keep these precious voids from getting the cold shoulder? The rescue came up with the idea of Black Cat Bonanza.
“”We need to get them adopted; that’s why we’re having the Black Cat Bonanza this Saturday at the Meshoppen Ball Park,” said Foux.
The event was held along with the NEPA Cars and Coffee car show at the Meshoppen Ballfield. The event grew so much in popularity that there were food trucks, DJs, a cornhole tournament, raffle baskets, and lots of things for the kids to do. People came from all over the area to not only see the cars but adopt the cats too!
Before the event, 10 of the cats were already adopted. After the event, a large number of them found new homes!
As of a few days ago, only 18 of them were left. The remaining cats are currently waiting to be adopted or given to foster homes.
For once, these house panthers were given consideration first instead of last.
Little Colette was adopted at the Black Cat Bonanza in August.
“That means a lot, and I just want to let them know how thankful we are. We’re blessed.”
Thanks to all who adopted these adorable fluffy panthers and showed them the love and appreciation they deserve.
#REMEMBER: SPAY/NEUTER, FOSTER, VOLUNTEER, TNR & AS ALWAYS, ADOPT, DON’T SHOP!
All photos by Meshoppen Cat Rescue/Facebook.
