Following the seizure of more than 150 domestic cats from a hoarding situation over the weekend in Park Township, St. Joseph County Animal Control and Park Township officials are struggling to provide proper care for the animals. The number of cats involved is significantly higher than facilities typically handle, and supplies are stretched thin.

Lockport Township Zoning and Enforcement Administrator Doug Kuhlman brought the issue to the attention of Lockport Township’s Board of Trustees at a regular meeting on Monday. He said the situation has created an acute need for cat food, urine pads, used blankets, laundry soap, bleach, and treats. He said many of the cats require veterinary attention or are having kittens. Staff are getting exhausted, and care for the cats is accumulating expenses.

A complicating factor is the cats’ owner has not surrendered the animals, which prevents Animal Control from releasing them to foster care or adoption facilities. “I’ve been in public service all my life, and I’ve been doing blight control for 14 years, and this by far is the worst case I’ve ever been exposed to,” Kuhlman said.

Lockport Township Supervisor Mark Major asked whether Animal Control allows volunteers to help with the cats. Kuhlman said the risk of injury is high, so the agency is being cautious about volunteers.

Kuhlman said persons wishing to donate supplies can drop them off at the gate of the Animal Control facility in Centreville. Although funds are needed, a proper channel for ensuring the funds are dedicated to the cats is still being worked out. Kuhlman said due to the risk that open cash donations can wind up in a broader general fund, he is investigating whether a third-party charitable organization can accept cash in order to purchase supplies for the cats.

For donations of supplies, the St. Joseph County Animal Control Facility is located at 652 East Main Street in Centreville.

Dave Vago is a staff writer and columnist for Watershed Voice. A Philadelphia native with roots in Three Rivers, Vago is a planning consultant to history and community development organizations and is the former Executive Director of the Three Rivers DDA/Main Street program.