An animal rescuer is desperately seeking homes for dozens of abandoned cats after a renowned Sunset Park kitten hoarder died last week.
Volunteer April Soto initially discovered the overrun home on 41st Street near Sixth Avenue after neighbors complained of rotting food; mold-covered walls; smelly cat food — and, in a small yard outside, at least 15 felines scampering about unattended.
“The woman’s life had fallen apart,” said Soto, explaining that the 66-year-old woman had lived alone and struggled with mental illness. “The only thing she had was her bond with these cats.”
The kitties were healthy, but the woman, a part-time receptionist, was not, so Soto did what she could. Then, last week, the cat lady was run down and killed by truck near her home, leaving the felines with no one to care for them.
A relative took over the woman’s dilapidated apartment, but evicted the cats.
Since then, Soto been hunting for pet lovers to adopt the cats.
“We don’t want to euthanize them,” Soto said. “So we really need help.”
Contact April Soto at (347) 419-0335 to adopt a kitty.
Reach reporter Natalie O'Neill at noneill@cnglocal.com or by calling her at (718) 260-4505.
