The local chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) has uncovered a shocking case of animal hoarding in Hadapsar, where more than 300 cats were found living in cramped and unsanitary conditions. The cats were being cared for by two sisters in a three-bedroom apartment in the Marvel Bounty Cooperative Housing Society.
This discovery shines a light on the dangerous effects of animal hoarding, which often begins with good intentions but quickly spirals out of control. The SPCA issued a 48-hour notice to the residents for relocation after an inspection by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on February 13. This inspection followed over two years of complaints from neighbors regarding the stench coming from the flat, which raised concerns about the health risks associated with the unsanitary environment.
PMC’s chief veterinary officer, Sarika Funde, explained that the sisters had been advised against keeping so many cats after an initial visit last year, when they had around 70 cats. Despite this advice, the sisters continued to take in more cats, leading to the overwhelming situation that saw more than 300 cats crammed into their flat.
The rescued cats will be moved to a shelter in Kharadi, with the cost of their relocation being covered by the two owners, according to Ankush Parihar, SPCA deputy commissioner.
This incident is not isolated, as similar cases of animal hoarding have been reported in Pune in recent years. In 2022, a couple in Kondhwa was found keeping 22 dogs under similar conditions, and last year, over 50 dogs and cats were rescued from a fake shelter where they had been caged and abandoned.
Parihar emphasized that while there are no legal regulations limiting the number of pets one can own, individuals must recognize the importance of maintaining manageable living conditions for the animals’ well-being. “An unmanageable situation is harmful to the animals and creates significant inconvenience for the local environment,” Parihar said.
Puneeta Khanna, district president of People for Animals (PFA), highlighted the importance of reintroducing rescued animals to their natural habitats after recovery, rather than keeping them in confined spaces. Khanna also pointed out that the PFA had proposed house checks for individuals with more than three pets in apartments to prevent illegal breeding and ensure that the animals’ living conditions meet proper standards.
Khanna also shared another concerning case from last month, where a pet cafe owner in the twin cities purchased 60 dogs of various foreign breeds for his business. The PFA has since sent a warning to the owner to have all the female dogs sterilized immediately, with plans for the male dogs to follow.
The growing problem of animal hoarding underscores the need for responsible pet ownership and the importance of ensuring that pets live in humane and manageable conditions. While rescuing animals is a noble endeavor, it is essential to recognize the potential consequences of overpopulation and neglect in these situations.
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