Late Friday afternoon, an Amazon truck was parked outside of River Run Veterinary Hospital along Route 61 outside Pottsville. It was there for a little while as the driver unloaded a massive number of boxes filled with food and cat litter.
It was the latest shipment to arrive since River Run took in 71 cats from a hoarding situation in Minersville on Tuesday. Borough police and code enforcement discovered the clowder in a home covered in feces and urine. River Run, along with Ruth Steinert SPCA, Forever Home Animal Rescue, and a human officer assisted in removing the cats.
All 71 were taken to River Run immediately following their removal. Sadly, one cat had to be euthanized. The remaining 70 began getting extensive treatment. One is in serious condition, suffering from a fractured leg, according to Dr. Jessica Walters, owner of River Run.
All cats that survived were underweight and dehydrated. Many were riddled with fleas and have the skin condition to prove it. Some of the cats are suffering from respiratory issues. A large number of the cats were still intact and need to be spayed or neutered. Some are pregnant. A couple are blind and one is blind and deaf.
Walters says all cats rescued from the hoarding situation will receive bloodwork, a flea treatment, and are getting properly fed and given access to fresh water.
As of Friday, Walters says 30 of the cats are in her building. She’s got nearly two dozen more in a barn at her home. And more than a dozen are under the care of rescues in the area.
Krazy Kritters Co., a Schuylkill County-based foster rescue, says it took in a dozen of the cats. All of those cats have received vet treatment and are ready for adoption. Berks Animal Hospital has a half-dozen more.
There have already been 17 of the cats that have been claimed for adoption and more will be ready once they respond well to the treatment they’re receiving and are fixed.
The cats, for the most part, are in good spirits. Many are extremely friendly and clearly starving more for attention than they are for food.
However, the one thing this case really underscored, in Walters’ eyes, is Schuylkill County’s need for a paid humane officer. Right now, the area is leaning on volunteer humane officers and Walters says they just “don’t have the support” they need.
“We need paid humane officers to do this right,” she says. “Schuylkill County really needs to figure this out. We just don’t have the support.”
DONATIONS: To add to the donations needed in the Minersville cat hoarding case, follow this link to the Forever Home Animal Rescue page.
To help Krazy Kritters Co., please follow this link to make a monetary donation. Email the rescue to arrange other donations.
TOP PHOTO: Dr. Jessica Walters looks over a very affectionate black cat rescued from Minersville.
More From Coal Region Canary
See all stories ›
Flood Watch Issued for Schuylkill County on Thursday
4 hours ago
Nabholz Has Allowed Just 1 Earned Run in 5 Appearances Since Promotion to Eugene
12 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Used Brother’s Name During Traffic Stop Because He’d Been Sentenced to Jail for Driving on a Suspended License
13 hours ago
Barton Cards Sub-70 Round to Pace Haven; Blue Mountain Sweeps Tri-Match
14 hours ago
PennDOT to Host Winter Job Fair in Schuylkill County
16 hours ago
Schuylkill County Man Wanted After Police Say He Traded Nude Photos With 16-Year-Old
17 hours agoSubscribe to Coal Region Canary
Get email updates from Coal Region Canary by becoming a subscriber today. Just enter your email address below to get started!Support Coal Region Canary
Like our reporting and want to support truly local news in Schuylkill County? Your small donations help. For as little as $5, your contribution will allow us to cover more news that directly affects you. Consider donating today by hitting the big yellow button below ...
Billy Sumprowicz
August 27, 2026 at 9:27 am
Just heartbreaking that someone could do this to these poor animals. God bless all who are taking care of them and finding them a good home.