27 Rescued Cats Killed in Kansas Tornado
Monday May 7, 2007
Volunteers Roy Huff and Terry Gaul, of Friends of Felines, a cat welfare group in Sedgewick, Kansas, were hauling a precious cargo of rescued cats from a farm in Syracuse to be spayed preparatory to being taken to new homes. When they encountered a heavy rain and hail storm, they pulled into Greensburg to seek shelter from the storm. Three minutes after parking in town, the devastating tornado hit, destroying the van and trailer and killing all 27 of the rescued cats. Huff and Gaul escaped unharmed.
The journey started with the plight of approximately 100 "barn cats" living on the farm, when the owner had to move into assisted living. Dedicated to his mission, Huff plans to return to the farm on May 18th to try to relocate some of the remaining cats. You can read the entire story in the Witchita Eagle online.
I know that all of us share the sorrow of the hundreds of people who lost everything they owned, including irreplacable personal mementos. But I also think some of us will set aside a moment to light a candle or say a prayer for these cats who might have had had a chance at wonderful new lives. The story goes even deeper, as I found when I "Googled" Friends of Felines. This project, dubbed "The Syracuse Project," was initiated at the request of Alley Cat Allies, and with support from Best Friends Animal Society, and the Cat Care Society, the initial rescue was scheduled in April, but postponed due to inclement weather. The Friends of Felines web site refers to an explanation of The Syracuse Project, however it is on a Word Doc file. I have reproduced that file in a forum discussion for those readers who feel uncomfortable downloading .doc files.
The bottom line is that Friends of Felines needs help in rescuing as many of the Syracuse cats as possible, and I hope at least a few of my readers will be able to contribute in some way, whether it be a donation, volunteer help, or foster care.
The journey started with the plight of approximately 100 "barn cats" living on the farm, when the owner had to move into assisted living. Dedicated to his mission, Huff plans to return to the farm on May 18th to try to relocate some of the remaining cats. You can read the entire story in the Witchita Eagle online.
I know that all of us share the sorrow of the hundreds of people who lost everything they owned, including irreplacable personal mementos. But I also think some of us will set aside a moment to light a candle or say a prayer for these cats who might have had had a chance at wonderful new lives. The story goes even deeper, as I found when I "Googled" Friends of Felines. This project, dubbed "The Syracuse Project," was initiated at the request of Alley Cat Allies, and with support from Best Friends Animal Society, and the Cat Care Society, the initial rescue was scheduled in April, but postponed due to inclement weather. The Friends of Felines web site refers to an explanation of The Syracuse Project, however it is on a Word Doc file. I have reproduced that file in a forum discussion for those readers who feel uncomfortable downloading .doc files.
The bottom line is that Friends of Felines needs help in rescuing as many of the Syracuse cats as possible, and I hope at least a few of my readers will be able to contribute in some way, whether it be a donation, volunteer help, or foster care.
Comments
Oh. Oh. Those poor babies must have been terrified.
I am in tears of read of the 27. RIP.
What a sad thing. It seems so unfair that they were having another chance and then that happened. I guess heaven needed more kitties. I am so very sorry to hear about this. I just lost my own cat yesterday-she was 20 and my heart is broken but at least she had a loving home and a chance…….those poor things……at least they are in heaven now. My prayers are with them and everyone involved with rescue.
i am a truly devoted cat lover and it just breaks my heart to even read this article. in a way i wish i had never come across this article. so they say, there is always a reason for everything, even though it is beyond our comprehension. hopefully we will meet them at the Rainbow Bridge.
I’m so sad now…omg those poor cats….
Those poor cats. May God bless all
who are involved in Feline rescue.I donate to Alley Cat Allies and a couple a local places but I have 6 cats and can’t go anyplace to help.
This type of news always makes me tear up… I can’t stand the thought of any animal’s life ending earlier than it should.
According to their website the Friends of Felines are going back to the Syracuse property this weekend (May 18-19) to rescue more kitties. Please keep this wonderful group of people in your prayers. I feel the spirit of The 27, as I call them, will be with the FOF as they go back to Syracuse.