Bucks County SPCA rescues nearly 70 cats from volunteer rescue organization in Bensalem.
The operator of a prominent cat rescue organization in Pennsylvania is facing criminal charges following the discovery of nearly 70 cats in distressing conditions within a warehouse. Officials from the Bucks County SPCA reported that they removed 67 cats and kittens from C.A.T.S. Bridge to Rescue, located on the 2800 block of Old Lincoln Highway on October 1. Tragically, two kittens succumbed to feline distemper, a highly contagious and lethal virus, shortly after their rescue.
The SPCA’s involvement was prompted by a complaint received by Bensalem’s animal control officer regarding the alarming living conditions of the animals at the rescue. This led to the submission of a search warrant to ensure compliance in the event that the organization’s founder and director, Margaret Vautard, was unable to relinquish the animals voluntarily. According to Cindy Kelly, a spokeswoman for the SPCA, Vautard has shown cooperation throughout the process but now faces charges related to animal neglect and cruelty.
Established in 2009, C.A.T.S. Bridge to Rescue was an all-volunteer, no-kill nonprofit organization dedicated to providing refuge for unwanted, stray, and abandoned felines. The organization successfully took in, sterilized, and adopted thousands of cats over the years, as highlighted on its website. However, recent evaluations by the SPCA indicated that the health status of the rescued cats suggested a prolonged lack of sanitation and veterinary care.
Reports from the SPCA described the conditions within the warehouse as deplorable, with some cats confined to filthy cages while others roamed freely, trapped in an environment filled with trash and animal waste. The pervasive odor of urine was noted, alongside visual evidence of flies and fleas. Many of the rescued cats were in dire health, exhibiting symptoms such as severe weight loss, upper respiratory infections, severe diarrhea, and infestations of fleas and mites. Notably, at least one cat tested positive for feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), which compromises the immune system.
In a demonstration of community support, the Women’s Animal Center in Bensalem has agreed to accept 15 of the rescued cats, with the intention of restoring their health before placing them up for adoption. The SPCA called attention to the pressing need for state regulation of cat rescues in Pennsylvania, a framework which currently exists for dog rescues, shelters, and breeders. The lack of such regulations has led to numerous cases of suffering among animals, often only revealed after blatant instances of cruelty are reported.
As the SPCA continues its efforts, they are offering a fee-waived cat adoption program through the end of October, waiving all adoption fees for adult cats and working cats. To support the extensive cost associated with the care of these animals, donations to the BCSPCA’s Animal Relief Fund are welcome. Community members who witness signs of abuse or neglect in Bucks County are encouraged to report their concerns via the SPCA hotline or through online channels.
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