Numerous pet cages containing more than 15 cats each were found in the van in Union Township on June 23.

Numerous pet cages containing more than 15 cats each were found in the van in Union Township on June 23.
By Megan Alley
Sun staff

Sixty-five cats were seized from a disabled van parked at a gas station in Union Township on June 23.

Police were called to the Shell at 653 Ohio Pike around noon on reports of a suspicious van parked in the back lot of the gas station, according to the Union Township police report. Both front windows were rolled down, the side cargo doors were open and fluid was coming from the left rear of the vehicle. The owner of the van, Dan McFadden, was not present.

Police smelled cat urine and feces coming from the van and saw numerous pet cages containing more than 15 cats each. The outside temperature was in the mid-80s, and there was no food or water in any of the cages.

One cat appeared to have an abscess on the side of its neck, two were missing eyes, and most were matted with urine and feces, according to the report.

McFadden arrived shortly after, in another car, and told police his van’s brake line was broken and that he was at Auto Zone getting the battery charged. He explained that he had been living in the van with the cats for at least four days.

McFadden said he had previously lived in a trailer on his friend’s property at 3856 Nine Mile Tabasco Road. When his friend passed away, he was asked to leave. Before that, he was living at his house on Nine Mile, which was condemned and bought by Union Township, according to the report.

McFadden told police he changed the paper in the cage trays daily and fed and watered the cats twice a day. He said he was planning to move to a new trailer once he got his van working.

He said he had a couple of cats that gave birth to kittens, and the problem snowballed out of control. He explained to police that he loved the cats and never meant to harm them, though he could not give any explanation for the poor health conditions of the cats, according to the report.

“We have not seen a case like this before, not with this many cats,” said Union Township Police Lieutenant Anthony Rees. “We did not issue a citation, and there was no arrest. I think [McFadden’s] heart was in the right place.”

The cats are now in the care of Clermont to the Rescue Humane Society, where they are receiving medical treatment.

“We’re trying to get them all evaluated,” said Clermont to the Rescue Humane Society President Eva DeVaughn. “We’re checking them for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus.”

DeVaughn said that five of the cats were pregnant when they arrived, and two have already given birth at the humane society.

“If there is a lesson learned here, it’s to spay and neuter your cats,” said DeVaughn. “Cats can have a litter and go right back into heat.”

The humane society is accepting donations to help with the care of the cats, including cleaning supplies, cat food, cat litter and kitten milk.

To adopt a cat or dog, please visit the Clermont to the Rescue Humane Society at 4025 Filager Road in Batavia. Email inquiries can be sent to adopt@clermonttotherescue.org.