Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991 TAG: 9104050604
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TIM MOSER/ SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They are depressed.
The female, long-haired, domestic cats have not eaten since March 15 when Roanoke Animal Control officers bought them to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' shelter. The cats have been grieving since their owner, an elderly woman who lived alone with them, died, said SPCA officials.
Shelter administrator Tammy Javier said the SPCA staff is upset over the situation. "I've heard of cats grieving like this over the death of their owner, but I've never seen it before. It's very rare."
A veterinarian said the cats are very depressed, but healthy, Javier said. One of them is even overweight.
Although the cage has been placed in the sunlight, the cats are frightened by the surroundings and have resisted any attempts at showing them affection, Javier said.
She said she doubts the cats have been in a cage before. She believes they have a chance to live if they are adopted immediately by the right person.
"I think if they were taken into someone's home - preferably together and a home without children because we don't know their disposition toward children - and got a lot of love and attention, they would make it," Javier said.
Both cats are housebroken. Javier estimates their age at 2 and believes they are sisters. One is a yellow tabby, the other a tortoise shell.
"If they don't start eating or we don't find them a home pretty soon, we will have to put them to sleep because it's the most humane thing for the cats," Javier said.
The adoption fee for the cats is $20 each to pay for shots. The SPCA shelter, at 13th Street and Eastern Avenue Northeast, is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday from noon until 5 p.m.
by CNB