SPCA Seeks Homes for Cats Rescued from Animal Cruelty Site

The SPCA of Westchester is seeking homes for cats and kittens rescued last week from Overlook Terrace in Yonkers, where the remains of 25 cats were discovered this past April, strung up in plastic bags hanging from a tree. Several of the cats had been bludgeoned to death.

“These cats were most likely related to many of the cats that were murdered,” said Lisa Bonanno of the SPCA, headquartered in Briarcliff Manor. ”They’ve been living in the alley there and we didn’t want to see any harm come their way like the ones from April so we trapped and captured a bunch of them.”

All of the cats were brought to the SPCA’s Simpson Clinic on North State Road to receive immediate veterinary care and are being treated for eye infections and upper respiratory ailments. Once they are well enough, they will be spayed and neutered and then placed up for adoption.

“The cats and kittens had been living in squalid conditions in a back alley near the crime scene and have multiplied significantly in the last few months. They range from very friendly to feral,” said the SPCA’s Executive Director, Shannon Laukhuf. “While some of the cats are more social and can be adopted into homes, it’s critical to locate barn homes or adopters who have secure outdoor structures for those cats that are not suitable or happy living inside.”

Meanwhile, the investigation into the deaths of the cats at Overlook Terrace is still open and active.

“Our team in partnership with the Yonkers Police has been working around the clock to solve this case,” said HLE Unit Director, Ernest Lungaro. “We are confident that the person(s) responsible for this heinous act of animal cruelty will be brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is urged to call the HLE’s confidential hotline at 914-941-7797.