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Cats rescued in Puerto Rico brought to Mahoning Valley
YOUNGSTOWN
Oliver, a blind kitten, and three other felines rescued in Puerto Rico arrived this week at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport needing adoptive families.
A kitten and one of the adults have people who want to adopt them, said Jason Cooke of Brookfield, an animal activist who facilitated bringing the cats to the United States from the Save-A-Gato Cat Sanctuary in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
After handing off two of the cats to adopters Wednesday, Cooke said he transported Oliver and another cat to the West Side Cats shelter on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown.
Oliver, who lost sight in one eye from an untreated infection, which then spread to his other eye, has been vetted and has all of his shots. He will be up for adoption immediately, Cooke said.
The other cat, as yet unnamed, has some birth defects and will be reassessed before being put up for adoption, he said.
“They are domestic cats. When Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, people reached out to help. I don’t know how Oliver got to the shelter,” Cooke said.
He said he learned of the cats from Kimm Koocher of West Side Cats, who was contacted by Save-A-Gato.
“Kimm reached out to me, and working together we found a cargo flight that negated the necessity of flying to Puerto Rico to get the cats,” he said.
Cooke is an animal advocate who lobbies state and local officials on behalf of animals and works with animal-rescue organizations.
“It’s something I decided to do a long time ago. I was tired of seeing animals leaving shelters in garbage bags,” said Cooke, who lives on 40 acres where he has 12 rescue dogs, six indoor cats and 30 to 35 fixed outdoor cats.
“When I was in Houston, I sent five dogs to Ohio after Hurricane Harvey hit. I don’t think there are borders when it comes to rescue. It’s nice to help these animals,” he said.
“The ultimate answer is spay and neuter,” Cooke said.