Lacey Shelter Sees Rise In Outdoor Cats With 'Horrific Injuries'

Warning: this article contains graphic photos.

LACEY, NJ — The Associated Humane Popcorn Park Shelter has seen an increase in outdoor cats suffering "horrific injuries." The animal shelter released a statement Tuesday warning people about letting their cats roam freely outside.

"Cats are domestic animals, not wild animals," the shelter said. "Yes, there are successful feral cat colonies all over NJ, but have you ever stopped to think about who determined that those cats were feral to begin with?"

Popcorn Park have seen more cats come in with significant injuries during recent months. Some shelters will label stray cats as feral and let them back into the wild, or worse, the shelter says. But Popcorn Park says they will work with all cats to provide happy outcomes.

These felines include a 17-year-old "barn cat" whose ear was mutilated by another animal in the arm where he lived for many years.

The shelter also mentioned Oscar, a count found on the streets with his ear hanging by a thread because an animal tried tearing it off. Then there's Freddie, a cat found in Plumsted Township with a gaping wound on his neck.

"Many of these cats have suffered attacks from other animals, being hit by cars, or worse yet, cruel attacks by heartless humans. Some of these cats do not survive their injuries," the statement said. "The ones that do must be quarantined with us for a four month period if they have a bite of unknown origin included in their injuries."

Watch the Popcorn Park Shelter's accompanying video below:

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