McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Palm Animal Society is asking for help after receiving a large number of animals to its facility from a second animal hoarding case.
On Thursday, a warrant was issued to raid a residence at the 300 block of West Fern Avenue.
At the scene, authorities found numerous animals inside the residence.
“McAllen personnel determined that numerous animals, including dogs, cats and birds were inside the residence,” said Xochitl Mora, Communications Director with the City of McAllen.
Palm Valley Animal Society was called to the scene where they determined there were 64 cats, six dogs, one parrot and one turtle inside the home.
Authorities arrested 63-year-old Jose Antonio Moli on 68 counts of animal cruelty to non-livestock animals.
This is the second animal hoarding case in McAllen in less than a week.
All animals were taken to Palm Valley Animal Society.
“All 60 cats are here, nobody is going to be euthanized. They all are very sick,” said Faith Wright, Director of Operations with the Palm Valley Animal Society.
Wright said they have started treating the cats’ ear mites and providing them with frontline, dewormer, among other necessary medical treatments for cats.
“Today the cats have started to eat and make noises, and move around a little bit which is great,” Wright added.
Palm Valley will be checking which cats are pregnant throughout the weekend, which ones have ringworm and which cats may need more skin treatment.
The six dogs are also available to foster, among the 21 dogs from the previous animal hoarding case.
“We are not going to be allowing the public to come in and look at these cats right now, due to them being very stressed out, ” Wright said. “We are starting antibiotics on all of them due to an upper respiratory infection that they are showing.”
She added she is grateful for the community wanting to step up and take a look at these cats, but right now it is best to let them rest and decompress so they may get healthy.
Palm Valley will let the public know by Monday if the public will be able to come and foster or rescue the cats.
Wright added those who are interested in fostering a cat must remember they cannot adopt the cat until the court case is over.
The animal society is accepting donations through their website to help with unforeseen medical costs.
