PRISON CATS
Original Publication: Jan. 31, 2010
Meet “Tinkerbelle,” The Pregnant Cat That Was Rescued From An Orange County Correctional Facility And Is Living Behind Bars At A Local Veterinary Hospital.
A Pregnant Cat Was Rescued From An Orange County Correctional Facility And Is Living Behind Bars Once Again At A Local Veterinary Hospital.
“I Had No Idea. I Never Would Have Expected The Inmates To Be Taking Care Of The Animals.”
– Prison Psychologist
Cats in prisons is not the first thing that comes to our minds, but the Animal Report was told all about the issue by a correctional facility psychologist.
For the past decade the rescue friendly clinical psychologist has been working with California prisons and rehabilitation centers.
“I first saw them outside in a large field, some were cared by inmates”. She continues, “Later I found out there would be up to two-hundred cats on the prison grounds, living in colonies.”
As the population of these animals began to increase the prison staff took initiative. They contacted local veterinarians and they began to help. Some staff made contributions, paying for the transport and spay or neuter of the animals.
The doctor explains
They lived out on a huge yard; we call the East Yard – by my office. It’s a large grassy expanse with gophers, and what I found out was that these cats were actually the foraging gophers.”
Another problem became evident once an inmate noticed a limping kitten on the prison grounds. After caring for the hurt kitten, he later explained to the staff that the kitten had been attacked by hawks. The following week, the prison employees helped pay for the kitten’s recovery.
Unfortunately, the prison administration had to advise the staff and inmates not to care for these prison cats; due to liability issues.
This decision makes it more difficult for the prison staff to collaborate to help the cats. The prison captain sympathizes with the animals, however bound to his duty, he is forced to make a difficult decision – enforcing a no-cats rule.
The Animal Report has been asked to help by writing and publishing this piece and Community Animal Network will be overseeing the fostering program and the adoption as well as providing the customary veterinary medical. (spay neuter, blood testing, vaccinations, de-worm and microchips and treating any conditions such as ear mites. All rescued animals come with a 30 day health guarantee. Please call 949-759-3646 to help or email contact@testing.animalreport.org.dream.press.
Foster Or Adoption Needed
Our available animals are friendly and in need of new homes. Please adopt or foster to get involved to save lives.
Here is a list of prison cats that need your help.
Needing Fostering or New Homes:
One queen cat with 6 kittens
Two Kittens – one named Goldie, the other a Sylvester-type cat
3 young female kittens (approx 4 months) – black/white mix
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