Crime & Safety
Cat for Christmas? Woman Has Been Hoarding Dozens of Felines
The 60-plus cats in the Echo Drive home are well-kept and well-fed; there is no law prohibiting the hoarding of cats in Barrington.
Barrington police, two animal rescue organization and a veterinarian are working with an Echo Drive woman who is selling her home and needs to find new homes for approximately 60 cats she has been hoarding.
“They are well-kept and well-fed and there is no urine smell in the house,” said Barrington Police Chief John LaCross. “Neighbors have donated food and kitty litter.”
Police became aware of the situation several weeks ago, LaCross said. There is no law on the books that prohibits the woman from having as many cats as she wants as long as they are well cared for, unlike Barrington’s ordinance on dogs, said the police chief.
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The woman is selling her house, though, and needs to find homes for the cats, LaCross said.
Barrington animal control officer Patricia Watson is working with a veterinarian who is donating the time to make sure the cats all have their shots and our spayed or neutered before being placed with new families.
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The Barrington PAW (Partnership for Animal Welfare) and RI SPCA (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) organizations also are helping to find homes for the cats, LaCross said.
If you are interested in a cat for Christmas, call Barrington’s ACO at 437-3930, said LaCross.
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