May 08, 2008 09:43 am

Cut and paste version of story Photos A group of Siamese and Ragdoll cats await adoption in a cage at the MSPCA in Methuen. Staff photo A Sphynx cat sits in a cage at the MSPCA in Methuen after about 50 exotic cats were taken from a local woman's home. Some Spynx cats sell for nearly $1,000 from breeders but are available for $125 the MSPCA. Staff photo

Hoarded exotic cats looking for new homes

"The cats are mostly pure-bred. It's rare to get so many in a hoarding case. This is what sets this one apart."

By Crystal Bozek
CNHI News Service

METHUEN, Mass. — Many of these exotic felines can easily run you $600 to $1,000.

But for a limited time, dozens of Sphynxes, Himalayans, Munchkins, Devon Rexes, Ragdolls and Siamese are available for a mere $125 adoption fee.

A woman who had been hoarding the cats voluntarily surrendered 51 of them to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals this week.

"There are some bizarre breeds here; ones you don't see in this area," said Mike Keiley, manager at the Nevins Farm animal adoption center. "The cats are mostly pure-bred. It's rare to get so many in a hoarding case. This is what sets this one apart."

Keiley would not release the middle-aged woman's name.

"It appears that she probably was buying them as well as breeding them and selling them," Keiley said. "Most hoarders start accidentally, helping out neighborhood cats. People give you more and more. ... This started with a different intent. But it ended just as bad. The house conditions were not very good."

The woman went out of her way to obtain these cats, he said.

Depending on the breeder, Sphynx cats — the nearly hairless felines made famous in the Austin Powers movies — can cost up to $1,000. Munchkins, a newer breed characterized by abnormally short legs, can carry a price tag of more than $500.

"These aren't your everyday cats," Keiley said. "You acquire these from breeders. They aren't too popular in this community."

Veterinarians are treating the pricey felines for upper respiratory and eye infections, as well as ringworm. None are so sick they will die or cannot be adopted.

Besides treatment, MSPCA staff will spay and neuter the cats and place identification microchips in them.

Keiley would love to find permanent homes for all 51 cats, but in the meantime is looking for "foster parents" — people who can take them temporarily and nurse them back to health.

Crystal Bozek writes for The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Mass.


Is this the cat for you?

Ragdoll: Affectionate, gentle, good with kids

Siamese: Dependent, extremely vocal, curious

Devon Rex: Powerful jumpers, mischievous, can be trained to do tricks

Munchkin: Abnormally short legs, "ferret like" in their playfulness

Sphynx: Better for people with allergies, curious, high maintenance

Himalayan: Sweet-tempered, intelligent, prone to hairballs