Animal welfare agencies getting custody of 43 rescued cats

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - A Springfield court has granted three animal welfare agencies the custody of 43 cats removed from a condemned Ludlow house ; clearing the way for the animals to be adopted.

The MSPCA, Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, and the Animal Rescue League were granted custody of the cats during a hearing at the Western Housing Court in Springfield Monday morning.

The dozens of cats were removed from a home on Highland Avenue on February 8. They had been left behind in January when two residents of the house were removed for medical reasons.

Since the cats’ removal, the three agencies had been treating and caring for them , but without legal custody, the healthy cats couldn’t be put up for adoption.

“We don't like to keep animals long-term, it's not good for them,” MSPCA Law Enforcement Officer Christine Allenberg said. “The animals that are ready to go up for adoption will be placed up for adoption into new loving homes.”

The judge told Ludlow town representatives in court Monday that the case has moved from an animal emergency to a code enforcement emergency. A family member of the two people who lived in the house has stepped-in to begin the cleanup process.