Twenty cats removed from a Pomona rescue under investigation for allegedly inhumane conditions are now available for adoption at an spcaLA shelter in Hawthorne. They arrived Friday morning, and they range in age from 2 months to 12 years old.
What Happened at Furget Me Not
On Monday, Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA and Upland Animal Control executed search warrants across multiple properties in Claremont and Upland tied to Furget Me Not Cat Rescue, a nonprofit registered in Pomona.
What they found was far worse than expected. Authorities reported more than 500 living and dead cats across the properties, along with nine living dogs. Dead cats were found buried in a backyard and stored in a freezer inside a garage. Investigators also collected expired human medications, used needles, and other evidence from the scene.
The surviving animals were placed in evaluation for medical, behavioral, and housing needs. The investigation is ongoing.
Why This Matters
Cases like this put enormous pressure on shelters that weren’t expecting hundreds of animals to land in their care at once. That’s where transfers like this one come in.
The 20 cats now at spcaLA’s South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne were moved from IVHS specifically to free up space and resources for the most critical animals still in evaluation.
“When communities face crises like this, we do what we can to support both animals and our partners in the field,” said spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein. “Transferring animals into our care frees up space and resources for IVHS to focus on the most critical cases.”
According to the ASPCA, an estimated 250,000 animals are affected by hoarding situations every year in the United States, with cats being the most commonly involved species. Most cases go undetected for years.
This isn’t an isolated pattern either. Upland police had already rescued hundreds of cats from a separate rescue nonprofit earlier this year, and more than 500 living and dead cats were found at the Pomona location tied to this same investigation.
Where to Find Them
The 20 cats are currently available at the spcaLA South Bay Pet Adoption Center in Hawthorne. Ages range widely, so there’s a fit for most households , whether someone is looking for a kitten or a quieter older companion.
If adopting isn’t possible right now, fostering or even sharing this story makes a real difference when shelters are this stretched.
Have you ever adopted a cat from a rescue or shelter situation like this one? Share your experience in the comments , it helps people on the fence make that call.
Conclusion
These cats made it out of a difficult situation. Now they just need someone to show up.
For more stories like this, visit Furry Found and follow along on X and Facebook so you don’t miss updates as this investigation continues.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only.