Pune: A 6 Month Court Battle Ends By Awarding 55 Cats’ Custody To Animal Rescuers

Finally, a breath of hope for the 55 cats who were saved from one of the most horrifying animal hoarding cases in Pune.

Background:

In mid-September of 2017, animal protection organizations ResQ Charitable Trust, Humane Society International/India, People for Animals and Action against Cruelty and Trauma joined hands to rescue and save 55 felines from a small apartment in Kondhwa, Pune.

The cat-hoarding case received a lot of attention because of the deplorable state of the animals who were rescued and the filthy, unsanitary conditions in which the felines had been forced to live.

The odour of the house was overwhelming and, while the rescuers were expecting the worst, when they had entered the property, even they were shocked at the situation they found the animals in.

The joint effort by the animal protection organizations led to the rescue of these felines, who were then sent to ResQ for rehabilitation where they were provided first-aid and clean food.

A new hope!

After a six month long legal battle, the Court of the First Class Judicial Magistrate has passed a landmark judgment recognizing animal hoarding as an animal welfare issue and ordering that the cats be put up for adoption to find forever homes.

The order issued on 20th March 2018, is being hailed as a brilliant and progressive judgment which sets a great precedent for the future of animal welfare in our country. According to the order, the accused in the case have informed the court that they would not be executing the bond levied on them previously by the court (March 15, 2018). This failure on the part of the accused to take responsibility of the animals has resulted in the final forfeiture of the rescued cats as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Care and Maintenance of Case Property Animals) Rules, 2017.

This implies that the cats, who have now received all the medical care, rehabilitation and exercise that they needed to ensure they are healthy and loving. And, have been pampered, given enrichment and have learned to trust humans again will be put up for adoption soon.

While this is a win for animals across the country, there is a constant battle that is being fought when it comes to animal abuse.

You can help these beautiful animals by taking them home or sharing their story! To adopt, mail [email protected].