Animal rescuers and local officials responded to a condemned home in Central Islip yesterday where they found dozens of animals—and a woman—living in horrible conditions. The animals were removed and the woman, believed to be in her 70s, was "taken to a hospital against her will."
It's believed there were at least 50 cats in the home, plus a dog. Suffolk County SPCA's Roy Gross told 1010 WINS, "There was one dog removed from the home, I’m not sure of the age because it was so severely dehydrated it couldn’t even stand."
The home, which had numerous code violations over the years and was condemned last year, had been board up but Rosemarie Kobylak continued to live there, ignoring a vacate order (she may have been living in a car). According to WABC 7, "Neighbors routinely brought the woman food and water, but someone called 911 Friday morning after reporting that Kobylak appeared ill."
Because the home was full of cat feces and urine, crews needed to wear hazmat outfits. Further, News 12 reports, "Town officials say the house had minimal electric and lacked water, heat and plumbing. The floors are also caving in."
At least one cat was put down. The Islip Animal Shelter posted on Facebook, "Another small update on the house with the hoarding situation: A local rescue is trapping the remaining cats and having the ones healthy enough spayed or neutered at Grady Animal Hospital. Then once fixed they'll be socialized and will go into their adoption program. The costs are being mainly paid for with a donation of vouchers from Shelter Link. Thanks to everyone for there support in this situation. The rescues, hospitals and shelter employees have been outstanding!"
Earlier this week, over 100 cats were rescued from a two-bedroom apartment in New Paltz. Not only were there so many cats with an adult owner—there was also a child in the apartment!
