In Montgomery County, Maryland, a team of rescuers and locals are coming together to save around 50 Himalayan cats located just north of Washington D.C. During the late summer season, which is typically peak kitten season, rescuers stumbled upon an unusual occurrence within the community: a sudden influx of adorable fluffy house cats with striking blue eyes. The Montgomery County Community Cat Coalition (MC C³) is a volunteer team that focuses on rescuing outdoor community cats, but in late August they received a call from park police to rescue six Himalayans in Wheaton Park. Lieutenant Gratton teamed up with the MC C³ rescuers to help capture the nervous felines.
A police officer and a volunteer rescuer have joined forces to assist the Himalayan cats in need. These cats were not typical feral cats and appeared accustomed to living indoors rather than on the streets. It is suspected that a breeder may have abandoned them, but the reason remains unclear. MC C³ reported that the cats and kittens were malnourished and frightened but generally in decent condition. After being captured, the animals received medical attention and were temporarily placed in foster homes until they can be adopted permanently.
Dr. Hannah Levy from Cozy Cats Vet: A Cat Practice recently examined a group of Himalayan cats via Facebook/Montgomery County Community Cat Coalition. Interestingly, the influx of these felines didn’t stop with the initial wave. There was a subsequent arrival of another group that sought refuge in a different park and the Kemp Mill neighborhood.
Before long, the number of Himalayan cats grew to 33, and their population kept increasing with each passing day. With the help of local news, people became more aware of their existence, leading to even more sightings and discoveries of these felines.
Several Himalayan cats that were spotted in the area have been diagnosed with feline panleukopenia, a disease commonly known as feline distemper. Even after weeks, locals are still seeing these cats around, but unfortunately, some of them have not survived the illness. In light of this, rescuers have taken to social media, urging those who have taken in any of these cats to keep them isolated from other felines to prevent the virus from spreading.
Community members are on the lookout for more Himalayan cats as rescuers work tirelessly to provide them with aid. These felines have found new homes and shelters thanks to individuals who have either adopted them or handed them over to shelters. The true count of these cats could surpass 50, given the number of rescue missions that are still underway. The rescue efforts are a collective one, often requiring several days of hard work. Beverly Caragher, one of the volunteers at MC C³, has expressed the group’s unwavering commitment to saving as many lives as possible.
The Maryland-National Capital Park Police and animal control are currently conducting an investigation into the origin of the Himalayan cats found in the area. It’s unclear why someone would abandon these beautiful felines. There is a possibility that it’s related to an outbreak of Panleuk, but further information is needed to confirm this theory. If you have any information about the cats’ origins or sightings, please reach out to the Maryland-National Capital Park Police at 301-949-8010. In case you require assistance with trapping or reporting a sighting, you can also email [email protected].
“We are Catching More Every Day”
There are still some lovely cats that are in need of a home. Due to the fact that some of them have contracted Panleuk or FPV, it is important for them to find a home where there are no other feline companions to avoid the spread of infection. Nevertheless, households that have amicable dogs or other pets are acceptable since the viruses are not communicable to non-feline animals.
“At present, there is a limited number of available Himalayans. Nevertheless, we are capturing more cats every single day. We truly appreciate your eagerness to assist us. In addition, we have many other delightful cats who would be grateful for a permanent home or foster family,” stated MC C³.
Discover additional ways to lend a hand, give contributions, take in, or temporarily care for felines by visiting the website, Facebook page, and Instagram account of the Montgomery County Community Cat Coalition.
