UPDATE: Wicomico County officials rescue over 100 cats from neglected Delmar “cat sanctuary”

UPDATE: Humane World for Animals has provided an update on the on the rescue of over one hundred cats from a property in Delmar.

Officials with the organization say that approximately 110 cats were rescued from the property on Feb. 25. However, in the subsequent days, Humane World  worked with local authorities to humanely trap remaining cats. These efforts led to the rescue of over 40 additional cats. 

Since the rescue operation, Humane World has been caring for the cats as they undergo further treatment. In-depth veterinary exams revealed most of the cats have been suffering from upper respiratory infections. Many of the cats were severely dehydrated and suffering from advanced dental disease, while others were emaciated and in need of treatment for fleas and ear mites. Several other cats required hospitalization for round-the-clock intensive care.

Information on the cats’ placement will be shared when they are ready to move into homes. Officials say this will likely be in several months for most of the felines.  

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. — The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference this afternoon to discuss the ongoing animal cruelty investigation in Delmar.

Wicomico County Sheriff, Mike Lewis said, “The original information was between 250 and 300 cats on the property. Even the sanctuary owner said it was approximately 200 cats here. We encountered well over 100 cats there and several were dead in various stages of decomposition.”

Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, Wicomico County Animal Control, Humane Society of Wicomico County, and Humane World for Animals, rescued more 100 animals from Landing Lane in Delmar, Wednesday morning. Animal control officer, Wayne Barrall painted the scene.

“It’s the most horrific scene I’ve seen involving animals in my life.” said Barrall.

A home in Delmar functioning as a cat sanctuary called “The Good Shepherd Cat Sanctuary” with the motto “Hope for all who enter.”

Humane Society of Wicomico County, Executive Director, Kim Nock said, “These were not just sick cats. They were cats that were on death’s doorstep. Unfortunately, there were cats that did not make it. I’ve never seen anything like that. There were multiple skeletal remains and multiple decomposed bodies and freshly decomposed bodies as well. ”

Wicomico County law enforcement first received notice of alleged animal cruelty at the end of November, where they immediately asked for help from humane world for animals.

“We don’t have the kind of equipment that we needed for this. We don’t have the manpower that we needed for this, and we did not have a place for the cats to go. Was the main thing, so they had all of those resources and the best equipment, and, they had the veterinarians that that those cats needed.” said Nock.

The county did a check in on December 19th and February 3rd but were finally able to rescue the cats February 25th.

“They certainly understood why we were there and he understood we were taking all the cats, and they put up zero opposition. They knew, what we knew and that it was there was clearly a lot of neglect taking place and I don’t know that the abuse was intentional, but the neglect was horrific.” said Sheriff Mike Lewis.

Nock emphasized that the cats will not be euthanized, “No organization is going to put in this much time and effort and expense and medical treatment to an animal that their intent is to just euthanize. That is just absolutely not true. ” 

We will have an update on the case when there is more information available.

This article was originally posted on Mar. 2 at 6:09 p.m.