The Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement Team, with the assistance of the Lancaster Township Police Department, executed a search warrant Tuesday on the 300 block of Spencer Avenue in Lancaster, resulting in the rescue of 78 cats and kittens.
The investigation began earlier this week, when the Lancaster Township Police contacted the PSPCA after responding to the residence for an unrelated call. During that response, the interior of the home was observed to be unsanitary, with feces and urine throughout, debris and trash stacked from floor to ceiling, and a large number of cats free-roaming inside
Based on these observations, the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Animal Law Enforcement team secured a search warrant pertaining to the ill-treatment of animals and failure to provide access to clean and sanitary shelter.
PSPCA officers and Lancaster Township Police executed the warrant yesterday. The operation proved especially challenging as officers spent hours on site contending with dangerously high ammonia levels from waste and extreme heat inside the property, making conditions difficult and physically demanding.
A total of 78 cats and kittens were removed from the residence. All animals will undergo forensic examinations and receive any necessary medical care.
Seventy of the animals were signed over to the custody of the Pennsylvania SPCA. The remaining 8 will be held in the PSPCA’s protective custody pending their surrender or the adjudication of the court case.
“The conditions inside this home were among the most severe our team has encountered,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Animal Law Enforcement and Shelter Operations at the Pennsylvania SPCA. “Our officers endured hours of extreme heat and extreme ammonia levels to ensure every single animal was safely removed. We are grateful to the Lancaster Township Police Department for their partnership in executing this warrant, and we are committed to ensuring all 78 cats and kittens receive the care they need and deserve.”
Anyone with information about this case or other cases of animal cruelty is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA, or cruelty@pspca.org. Tips can be left anonymously.
About
About The Pennsylvania SPCA
Since 1867, the Pennsylvania SPCA, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization headquartered at 350 East Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, has been dedicated to preventing animal cruelty and rescuing animals from abuse and neglect. The Pennsylvania SPCA’s lifesaving programs for animals include a low-cost veterinary clinic, low-cost spay and neuter services, pet adoption facilities, and the Pennsylvania SPCA Animal Law Enforcement Department. For more information about adopting, donating or volunteering, please call (215) 426.6300 or visit www.pspca.org.
