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When a Johnson City woman died last weekend, she left 50 or more cats and 1 dog in the hands of fate. As you approach the now abandoned house, cats seem to come from everywhere. They emerge out of the squalid house, jump from trees and scamper out of the bushes hoping for their next meal.

Neighbors and local rescuers have been tending to the cats since the woman’s’ death earlier this week. County officials who were made aware of the desperate situation believed their only alternative was to sentence the cats to death. One animal protection organization had a different plan.

Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia was called upon to assist with the situation. Megan McAndrew, DVM went to Johnson City Saturday morning to assess the situation with representatives of the Blanco County Cat Coalition. “Surprisingly, the adult cats seem to be in good condition” says Dr. McAndrew, “but the kittens are not faring well.”

Some have serious eye infections and one, especially pitiful kitten limps about with an infected broken leg.

Wildlife Rescue will lead the charge to take care of all of the cats and the lone dog, but is asking for assistance from media and area shelters and rescuers to find temporary placement and permanent homes for these loving and deserving animals.

The Blanco County Sheriff has been very cooperative and has called off the plan to kill the animals, allowing WRR and their partners to take over the situation.

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The elderly woman cared for these animals up to the day she died, often spending every last dime she had to buy enough cat food.

“We are committed to ensuring that the compassion that she showed these animals does not end with her death and that they find new homes soon,” says Lynn Cuny, Founder of Wildlife Rescue. To help, call 830-336-2725 x311.

Founded in 1977 by Lynn Cuny, Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation is located on 200 acres in Kendalia, Texas outside of San Antonio and Austin. Wildlife Rescue is widely recognized as a superior rehabilitation and sanctuary facility and is accredited by The Global Federation of Sanctuaries (GFAS). In the over 30 years of its existence, well over 100,000 animals have been brought to WRR, from surrounding areas as well as from around the country; the majority of these were rehabilitated and released.

Those who cannot be released with a reasonable chance for survival in the wild, but who would have a good quality of life in captivity, are given permanent sanctuary. WRR also provides a permanent home for a variety of birds and mammals who have been the victims of the exotic pet trade, rescued from roadside zoos, or used in research labs and therefore cannot be returned to their natural habitats.