Rescue of 100 Abandoned Cats on Long Island
Authorities announced the rescue of about 100 abandoned cats from a dismal, urine-soaked house on Long Island. Allegations suggest their owners might have been selling these cats online for significant amounts of money.
On Tuesday morning, police discovered over 80 Maine Coon cats, filthy and infested with fleas, after receiving an anonymous tip that led them to a residence in West Islip, according to the Suffolk County SPCA.
Director Roy Gross described the situation as dire, stating, “If you look in from the outside, you’ll never know what’s going on behind closed doors.”
The stench from the house was reportedly overpowering, filled with cat urine, feces, and heaps of trash cluttering the floors, causing considerable concern among the rescuers.
Many of the cats were found underweight and had open wounds. The rescue operation itself was extensive, lasting nearly 24 hours and wrapping up around 3 a.m. the following day.
Grace Etzelsburger, aged 66, faces charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty based on the incident. Investigators are also probing whether she, a cat breeder for over two decades, held the necessary licenses for her operations. Her website, Graro Maine Coons Cattery, was deleted shortly after the raid, though it indicated she had been engaged in selling cats just a day prior.
The home has since been condemned by the Islip Town Fire Marshal, rendering it uninhabitable, as stated by the SPCA.
Authorities intend to keep an eye on the property to ensure all cats are safely relocated. According to Gross, the rescued cats are now receiving veterinary care and will be available for adoption through various rescue organizations across Long Island.
Local residents expressed their disbelief over the shocking situation. One neighbor, Zach Ciano, humorously remarked, “It’s not healthy for anyone. What if the cats start attacking me? There are hundreds of them!”
