When 42 cats arrived at the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA after a rescue from a Catskill property in New York, the shelter began evaluating the animals and arranging care. The group includes 19 adult cats and 23 kittens, the shelter said in an Oct. 16 release. It is asking the community to help meet the needs of the large intake while the animals recover.
The shelter described many of the kittens as thin and sick, with significant parasite infestations. Each cat needs evaluation, treatment, nutrition and continued attention, according to the release. The shelter did not give a timetable for the group as a whole; rescued cats can be considered for adoption only once they are medically cleared and available.
There was an encouraging early update. The Times Union reported Oct. 17 that the kittens were responding well to treatment Friday afternoon, citing shelter President and CEO Ron Perez. Perez said some adult cats and kittens might be ready for adoption as soon as Monday. That was a projection, not a guarantee for any particular animal, and the shelter’s medical-clearance condition still applies.
The rescue is part of an ongoing animal-cruelty investigation, the shelter said. Its release gave no further details about the investigation. The Times Union also reported that a separate intake of 22 cats was expected the following week in an eviction case. Those cats are not part of the 42 rescued in Catskill.
People who want to help now can make a donation to the shelter. CGHS/SPCA says contributions will support veterinary treatment, medication, food and continuing care for the rescued cats. The organization’s general online wish list also includes cat food, litter, blankets or towels, toys and treats, alongside cleaning and laundry supplies. Those are general shelter needs, not a special list of items required for these 42 cats, so donors can check the current list before bringing supplies.
Adoption is another way to support the shelter when an animal is ready to go home. CGHS/SPCA said dog and cat adoption fees will be sponsored beginning Oct. 19. The Times Union reported the sponsored-fee period runs through Oct. 31 as part of Subaru Loves Pets. The rescued cats are included only if they have been medically cleared and are available during that period. The shelter encourages applicants to apply in advance because same-day approvals are not guaranteed.
That advance step can make the process smoother, but it is also a chance for a household to think through the match. The shelter’s adoption page asks applicants to bring two personal references, a veterinarian’s phone number if they currently or previously owned animals, and a landlord’s phone number if they rent. It also advises families to consider whether everyone at home is ready, whether a pet is allowed in the home, and whether they can take on the ongoing time and costs of care.
Interested adopters can check the shelter’s current listings online or contact CGHS/SPCA before visiting. The organization lists its regular hours as Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday visits are by appointment. The sponsored-fee dates do not mean every animal will be available every day, and the rescue cats’ health and readiness will determine when they can be considered.
The adoption page says staff can answer questions and share information about an animal before a household decides. It encourages families to consider housing rules, time, finances and who will provide daily care. That guidance is meant to help make a lasting match rather than rush one. For current availability and visit details, CGHS/SPCA lists 518-828-6044 and info@cghs.org.
The shelter’s adoption page says adoptable animals stay in its care until finding permanent homes and that it does not euthanize animals for space. That is the organization’s general policy; it does not set a timeline for any cat from this rescue.
For now, recovery is happening one animal at a time. The shelter says the cats need medical care, food, attention and time before their next steps can be known. Neighbors can help by supporting that care, checking the shelter’s verified wish list or preparing thoughtfully for an adoption if a suitable animal becomes available.
Reader responses