Photo courtesy of the Derby Mayor's Office.
DERBY – Officials rescued 42 cats from a house in “deplorable condition,” according to a prepared statement from Derby Mayor Rich Dziekan’s office.
City officials entered a residence at 52 Hawkins St. at 10:30 a.m. Monday (May 15) “after the resident allowed animal control into the home,” according to the statement. The resident’s name was not included in the prepared statement.
The cats inside appeared to be in poor health.
“Many of the cats needed to immediately be seen by Ansonia\Seymour veterinary hospital,” according to the mayor’s office.
The residence was in such bad shape it was deemed uninhabitable by the health department, fire marshal and the building inspector.
“The mayor’s office is working with the landlord of the house to ensure that the resident has a place to stay,” according to the statement.
Anyone who wants to donate money to help the cats should contact the mayor’s office at (203) 736‑1496.
A summons may have been issued by Shelton Animal Control, according to Derby police. A voicemail was left with animal control at about 4 p.m. Monday. Shelton Animal Control covers Derby.
A number of agencies helped in the rescue effort, including Derby police, the fire department, public works, the Naugatuck Valley Health District, the Derby fire marshal’s office, and the building inspector, who works in both Derby and Shelton.
Some of the cats did not need immediate medical care and are being held at Shelton Animal Control.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in this rescue operation. It breaks my heart to see pets in such deplorable conditions resulting in poor health,” Mayor Dziekan said.
