TCHS in the News!
Our team works with the news media and digital partners to raise awareness of companion animal care and humane education. If you are a member of the media and wish to discuss this with us, please call 320-252-0896 or email us at pets@tricountyhumanesociety.org.
TCHS Takes In 90-Plus Cats From Crosby Home
Updated as of April 17, 2024:
Tri-County Humane Society appreciates how much support we’ve received since our intake of more than 90 cats removed from a Crosby home by Minnesota Federated Humane Societies humane agents and Crosby police. We always strive to be transparent with our community; with that in mind we have a few updates:
* The cats’ five-day stray hold ended Tuesday, April 16. While today (Wednesday, April 17) is technically the first day these cats could be adopted, the reality is some of them have long roads ahead of them. Some will need dental work or are dealing with severe upper respiratory infections. They will all need to be spayed/neutered and medically cleared before they can leave our care and be adopted to new homes. However, some will be ready for that step very soon – as early as this week.
* Some of the cats have tested positive for the feline leukemia virus. It will take some time to get all the cats tested. If you are interested in adopting these cats, please do not be discouraged by this. Many cats with feline leukemia can still have a good quality of life with a little extra monitoring and care. In general, cats who test positive should not be housed with cats who do not have the virus because it can be spread from direct contact with infected cats. However, there are feline leukemia vaccines that can protect other cats, so households with both positive and negative cats may be possible under the right circumstances and with the guidance of a family veterinarian.
* Cats who test negative for feline leukemia at this time should still be housed separately from other cats initially as it can take time for a cat to test positive after being exposed. All of the cats from this group will need additional testing, generally about a month after exposure. An adoptive family’s veterinarian may recommend additional confirmation testing and/or other care plans.
* On another topic, we are getting questions about why we do not have all 90-plus cats listed on our website. Fortunately, two have been reclaimed by their owners. The others who are not listed are either neonates who would not have owners looking for them, or they are deceased. Because this is an ongoing legal investigation, we are not able to disclose details about the deceased cats. We are not privy to many of the investigative details; right now, we’re focused on ensuring the best outcomes for the cats in our care. (The cats who need ongoing medical attention have been removed from our website for now, too, since their stray hold is up.)
We want to reiterate this case, and its impact on TCHS, will continue to unfold for quite some time. We want to thank everyone for their patience and continued support as we work hard to give these cats the help they need.
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Tri-County Humane Society is grateful for the support of our community in the wake of our receiving a large number of cats removed from a home in Crosby by Minnesota Federated Humane Societies and the Crosby Police Department.
On Thursday, April 11, two Minnesota Federated Humane Societies humane agents brought us 94 cats and assisted our animal care team staff members with their intakes. One of the cats we received was actually microchipped, and the owner was contacted and picked up the cat that evening. (That cat had been missing almost eight years.) Also, a Sartell couple recognized their cat among those removed from the Crosby home and were reunited with him Saturday; their cat had been gone for six months.
We are receiving a lot of inquiries from people who are missing cats in the Crosby area, in Central Minnesota, and beyond. Because of the size of this case, your best bet if you are missing a cat is to check for a match, and contact us immediately if you think you have one. (All the Crosby cats are listed with a number in their name, and their memo lists they are from that case.) We can be reached at 320-252-0896.
We want to thank our entire community for their support during this very busy time for our team members.
TCHS and the Crosby Cats: What to Know
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A Message from the TCHS Executive Director
Thank you.
The Crosby cats have drawn nationwide attention, and while we are extremely grateful for the love and support extended to Tri-County Humane Society, we want to point out the many heroes who deserve praise.
To the Crosby Police Department: Thank you for taking heed to the reports of concern you received, and for acting on them. We hope the attention this case is garnering will fuel other law enforcement agencies to act appropriately on tips regarding animal welfare concerns as you have. We appreciate you!
To the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies: Our hats are off to you for all that you did and continue to do to assist the Crosby Police Department in this astounding case. Our hearts go out, especially, to the Crosby law enforcement and the Minnesota Federated Humane Societies humane agents who were involved in the removal of these cats from the residence in Crosby on Thursday, April 11. We understand the number of cats discovered was over double what was originally suspected, and we can't imagine what that must have felt like to be on the front end of that discovery. To the two humane agents who put in over 16 hours that day, delivering and assisting the staff at Tri-County Humane Society with the intake of the 94 cats we received, you are our heroes. Thank you for all that you do to make this world a more humane place.
To the news media who have been reaching out to us wanting to cover this story: Thank you. With your help, many have become aware of our needs and are reaching out in support as we work diligently to care for these cats. We are grateful to our news media friends who are focusing on all of the good that is coming out of this very difficult situation. There are already a couple of happy endings, and we are looking forward to many more!
To our volunteers: Wow. You are the backbone of our shelter and we could not do this good work without you. Words cannot describe our gratitude for all of the many ways you donate your time.
To our community and beyond: We feel the love from you, and we are so grateful! So many individuals and businesses are stepping up to assist us that we simply cannot name you all in this single post, but we see you and we appreciate you.
To say we are overwhelmed with gratitude is an understatement. Keep the love coming, and rest assured that we will continue pouring it into the animals in our care on your behalf.
Our sincerest thanks, on behalf of the entire team at Tri-County Humane Society,
- Marit Ortega, TCHS executive director
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A Call for Financial Help
We want to take a second to express a lot of gratitude. Not only have many people been donating financially to us, we have had so many people stop by the shelter to drop off much-needed supplies for our cats in the wake of our helping with the Crosby cat situation.
We are so grateful - extremely grateful. We've also spent more than $6,000 so far just to restock all the items we needed for these 90-plus cats' intakes. That's money spent on medications, vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, feline leukemia tests - and the list goes on. That doesn't include what we'll spend on spaying/neutering/treatments, and, of course, staff overtime.
If you have the ability to give financially, please consider doing so! -
Crosby Case in the News
The Crosby case has drawn a lot of media attention; here is a roundup of some of the stories:
* KARE 11's story about the reunion of Cougar and a Sartell family.
* Star Tribune: St. Cloud animal shelter looking to reunite 94 Crosby-area cats with owners.
* MPR News coverage
* St. Cloud Live coverage
By way of introduction, I'll give you a summary of what led me to this position, followed by an open invitation to learn about you in return!
Vicki Davis is retiring in early February 2024; Marit Ortega will succeed her as Tri-County Humane Society’s Executive Director.
Second-to-Last Note From the TCHS Executive Director
Three microchip clinics this summer with more on the way
Tri-County Humane Society’s Board of Directors is proud to announce that Marit Ortega will be the next executive director of the nonprofit animal shelter.
Being together again [for our upcoming event] gives us a chance to thank people in person and make the connection to TCHS – which I believe makes it all more real.
Spring is in the air! After a very cold winter with record inches of snow, we are ready to spend more time outdoors soaking up the sun. Here at TCHS we always have lots of furry friends inside looking for new homes. But have you thought about the animals and plants outside the shelter that make TCHS a part of the local ecosystem?
Tri-County Humane Society and Executive Director Vicki Davis featured in St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce Business Central Magazine - March/April 2023.
What an amazing year it’s been. We set out to save more animals’ lives than ever before in our 49-year history — and we did just that!
Companion Animal Board bill is introduced at the Minnesota Legislature!
Your action is needed.
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for the simple reason that expectations usually center around really good food and a sense of family. You might ask what does this have to do with animal welfare and TCHS?
After months of hard work, local Girl Scout Troop 636 unveiled their dog play yard area Aug. 30 on Tri-County Humane Society’s property. The park is for the dogs who are staying at TCHS while they await their permanent homes.
There are many different types of animal welfare groups operating under a variety of conditions that affect the way they function in their community. “Animal shelters” — like Tri-County Humane Society — are places that have a primary physical location to house and care for animals. “Animal rescue groups” are often foster-based organizations that do not have a primary physical space to house their animals and mostly utilize foster homes for their animals. Each organization may serve different purposes and source their animals differently.
Well, we’re deep into summer now – the dog days of summer are upon us. Quite literally upon us at Tri-County Humane Society! Our team is having another busy year helping dogs, cats, pocket pets, and the occasional stray chicken or hamster. We’re proud of the work we’re doing.
A group of youngsters is hard at work on a project that is doggone needed for Tri-County Humane Society’s pups.
TCHS recently accomplished a milestone: Our first microchip clinic for the public!
Helping outdoor cats through sterilization and vaccination helps wildlife, too. Although free roaming cats certainly do hunt birds and other small prey, the number one cause of harm to wildlife populations is humans— through habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. The factors that diminish wildlife populations are complex and there are no simple approaches to help.
I’m pretty certain Bob Dylan didn’t have “Return to Field” cats in mind when he wrote the song “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” but I find it fitting. It defines our effort to be influential in people’s views on society’s unowned cats. In this case, it’s the relatively new practice of putting cats back where they came from instead of euthanizing them, referred to as Return to Field (RTF).
Most of Tri-County Humane Society’s supporters know the organization has had a robust cat adoption program for several decades. In 2021, TCHS placed 3,140 cats and kittens into adoptive homes. Some people, however, may not know about the programs available to care for cats who are not pets but rather community cats.
Because of your friendship, this new year has started out plenty happy for so many animals and the people who love them. With your support, and others in our community who share our passion for animals, we changed the lives of 4,499 animals in 2021.
I didn’t start out intending to become a foster for dogs. I simply walked dogs as a volunteer for Tri-County Humane Society. But TCHS allowed me to take a pup named Deuce out for an extended weekend break. That was the start of an enlightening and rewarding journey.
Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. My grandmother bought me a book on James Herriot, and I couldn’t wait to grow up and help animals. Then sadly, our family had to put down our beloved dog Rusty. I knew I would never be able to do that to an animal and my dream career changed. However, my love for animals remained strong.
Does your cat run and hide as soon as they see the carrier? Does your pet get stressed when you take him/her to the veterinary clinic or groomer? Is it impossible to perform a nail trim on your pet at home?
Tri-County Humane Society is excited to announce our partnership with the GoodPup dog training app!
GoodPup offers customized, affordable, positive dog training that you can access from the comfort of your home, at a time that works for YOU.
