Weather threatens lives of abandoned pets

Seven cats were abandoned at the MSPCA-Angell within a one week period –- several in taped boxes and left in the cold outside of the Boston based medical center. The non-profit animal welfare organization is urging the surrender of animals that pet owners can no longer care for directly to staff members at adoption centers and not to abandon them.

“The MSPCA will never turn away an animal that is being surrendered,” said MSPCA Director of Animal Protection, Jean Weber. “In addition to the valuable behavioral and medical information that pet owners share with us, the surrender process ensures a safe handover of each animal. Several of the cats that were abandoned on our property were left trapped in boxes and exposed to harsh weather conditions.”

A grey and white cat, now named Frosty, was abandoned near the front door of Angell Animal Medical Center on Saturday, December 5 during a rain and snow storm. Other cats were abandoned throughout the MSPCA-Angell including a kitten, Tinsel, who was left in one of the medical center’s bathrooms.

“If a pet owner needs to surrender an animal we urge them to do so properly,” continued Weber. “By informing us of an animal’s past we are enabled to make a much better match with a new adoptive owner.”

Animal cruelty is a felony in Massachusetts punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. To contact the MSPCA’s Law Enforcement department throughout Massachusetts please call (617) 522-6008 or (800) 628-5808.