GREENBELT, Md. 鈥� The mystery surrounding the abandonment of boxes of cats and kittens in Greenbelt, Maryland on Friday, and then again on Saturday, remains unsolved.
There is a $500 fine for abandoning any animal within the Greenbelt City limits, and there were a total of 28 cats and kittens left outside of the city’s animal shelter.
鈥淚t is a finable offense, but I鈥檓 not as concerned with levying fines or penalties. I鈥檓 more concerned with finding where the animals came from,鈥� said Celia Craze, director of Department of Planning and Community Development for the City of Greenbelt.聽The animal shelter is under her supervision.
Craze says what she wants to do is make sure that the public knows that any time an animal has to be surrendered, there are what she calls 鈥渃ompassionate shelters鈥� that can help.
With many shelters nearly bursting at the seams in what is referred to by staffers as 鈥渒itten season,鈥� shelters work with rescue groups to care for and place animals.
In this case, there is some good news. By midmorning Tuesday, Greenbelt had more than 30 calls from prospective adopters.
鈥淲hich is more than the number of cats and kittens that we have 鈥� which is a good thing,” Craze said.
And Craze is optimistic that all the abandoned cats can be placed. What she would like to see is that the animals already in the shelter鈥檚 care can find homes.
Kittens are relatively easy to place, 鈥渂ut older cats need homes too,鈥� she adds.
Residents can also help the shelter by donating supplies.
鈥淛ust about anything that one would need for their own pet is something that we could use at the shelter,鈥� Craze said.
