A Mississippi man, Michael Woods, found himself in a dire situation when he received an ultimatum to remove over 100 cats from his home or face eviction. With the help of a local nonprofit, the Mobile Cat Society, Woods is working to find homes for the felines he never intended to accumulate.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Woods was given 48 hours to remove approximately 115 cats from his home.
- The Mobile Cat Society, led by Allyson Clements, is stepping in to help find homes for the cats.
- Woods has been caring for the cats since his ex-wife began bringing them home in 2018.
Woods explained that his journey with the cats began in 2018 when his ex-wife adopted the first few. As time went on, they took in more strays, especially during a period when Woods was away caring for his ill mother. Upon his return, he discovered that many of the cats were pregnant, leading to the current situation.
Recently, Woods received an eviction notice, giving him just 48 hours to find homes for the cats. Fortunately, he managed to negotiate an extension until Monday, but the task of rehoming around 115 cats was daunting. This is where Allyson Clements and her organization came to the rescue.
The Rescue Effort
Clements, who has been involved in cat rescue for 14 years and founded the Mobile Cat Society in 2020, assessed the situation and noted that the cats appeared healthy and well-cared for. She praised Woods for his efforts in keeping the cats separated to prevent further breeding, which she described as a smart move.
On Saturday, Clements plans to mobilize volunteers and a large van to begin the process of rescuing the cats, which she estimates could take up to four hours. Woods expressed immense gratitude for the support he has received from Clements and other animal rescue groups, stating, "It’s amazing. I don’t even know how to put in words, ‘cause I didn’t even know anything like this would be possible."
Finding Homes for the Cats
Once the cats are rescued, Clements and her team will ensure they are vaccinated, dewormed, and treated for fleas. The plan is to transport 30 of the cats to a rescue organization in Montgomery, while other groups in Mobile and Foley have committed to taking about 20 more. This leaves approximately 65 cats that will be placed in foster homes until permanent homes can be found.
Clements acknowledged the challenge of managing such a large number of cats, stating, "We’re gonna tackle as many as we can, but we definitely need help. We’re a very small organization, so 115 cats is a hit."
Despite the overwhelming situation, Woods plans to keep a few cats, including a gold-and-black feline he named Miracle, whom he bottle-fed back to health after initially believing it was dead. He expressed his emotional attachment to the cats, saying, "There is one or two that I couldn’t let go."
Conclusion
The story of Michael Woods and his cats highlights the challenges of pet ownership and the importance of community support in times of crisis. With the help of the Mobile Cat Society, Woods is hopeful that he can find loving homes for the cats he has cared for, while also ensuring that he can keep a few of his beloved pets.
Sources
- Mississippi man hit with ultimatum to get rid of 100-plus cats; Mobile nonprofit comes to rescue, WLOX.
