PHOENIX – The Arizona Humane Society is cautioning cat owners not to panic in the wake of a recent incident in which 20 cats and kittens were found dead in a canal near 29th and Dunlap avenues.
Read more: Poisoned? 20 cats found dead, floating in Phoenix canalThe organization received numerous calls from cat owners wondering if the cats found on Tuesday were their pets, as well as calls from concerned pet parents wanting to know how they can protect their pets.
"One of the best ways to protect cats is to keep them indoors," Stacie DaBolt, field operations manager for the Arizona Humane Society said in a news release. "Left to wander outside, a cat runs the risk of being hit by a car, getting a disease from another animal or possibly encountering a person with cruel intentions."
The nonprofit organization also stresses the importance of spaying or neutering cats, which can reduce a pet's urge to escape outside to search for a mate.
A collar and ID tag or a microchip with current contact information can help ensure a safe return home if your cat does find her way outdoors.
In the case of the cats found in the canal, none of them had any identification or microchips and none had been spayed or neutered. DaBolt said it is most likely that these felines were strays and just had the bad luck of being close to someone who could be so cruel.
The canal cats case is an open, ongoing high priority investigation for the Arizona Humane Society, considering the circumstances of the case.
The Arizona Humane Society is looking for any and all information regarding potential leads.
Tips can be reported anonymously by calling 602-997-7586 ext. 2073 or Silent Witness at 480.WITNESS.
While it may be too late to save the cats in the canal, AHS reminds the community that it's not too late to help the hundreds of other cats, dogs and other critters already in its care.
Adopt a cat or kitten, with reduced adoption fees of $10 and $15 respectively. Have your pet spayed or neutered at one of the organization's low-cost public clinics.
"Our mission is to improve the lives of animals," said Guy Collision, executive director for the Arizona Humane Society. "We need our community's help to accomplish this lofty task. For those who want to do so something in response to this week's tragic findings, give a one time or monthly donation to help support the ongoing care of homeless animals and to ensure our programs that combat animal abuse and cruelty continue.
