Haven Acres cats up for adoption this weekend

Nearly three months after 697 cats were seized from Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary in High Springs, the vast majority of the felines will be up for adoption this weekend.

The adoption event will be held at the Alachua County Humane Society on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

An estimated 550 cats will be available for adoption this weekend through the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which worked with Alachua County Animal Services on the June 7 seizure and now has custody of the felines.  Cats looking for new homes include those of all ages and types, the Humane Society says.

An adoption fee of just $5 is being charged for each cat adopted.  There is a limit of two cats per household.  Humane Society officials say each cat has been “fully vetted” and spayed/neutered, vaccinated, FELV/FIV tested, and received internal and external parasite control, microchips and veterinary exams. Health information will also be available on all cats, officials say.

Prospective adopters should bring to the adoption event, identification, cash and a pet carrier if possible.  Residency in Alachua County is not required to adopt.

Prospective adopters will also receive a group orientation at the Alachua Humane Society and then be transported to the nearby adoption site.

Humane Society officials say coordinators will be on site to assist in interviewing prospective adopters, help match adopters with cats and answer questions.

The event will be held at the Alachua County Humane Society’s new location at 4205 NW 6^th Street, Gainesville, Fla.

Of the original 697 cats taken from the sanctuary, Alachua County Animal Services Director David Flagler said 626 remain.  More than 70 of the felines died or were euthanized after veterinary staff determined they were beyond treatment, he said.

Pennie and Steve Lefkowitz, who operated Haven Acres Cat Sanctuary, were charged last week with 47 animal cruelty charges related to the seizure.  The allegations of animal cruelty were accompanied by a report detailing such conditions of the cats as muscle atrophy, fleas, ear mites, missing and abscessed teeth, emaciation, dehydration, feline leukemia virus, alopecia, feline immunodeficiency virus, severe upper respiratory infection, ocular discharge, nasal discharge and several others.