42 cats in Milan need new homes after being left behind

MILAN, Tenn. — A tragic situation in Milan as many cats are left without a home. One cat rescuer is asking the community for help rehoming them.

Shady hills trailer park is getting a big upgrade, but in the midst of redevelopment, 42 cats and kittens have been left to fend for themselves.

“A lot of the residents have left cats behind. One particular resident left over 30 cats behind. It is a dumping ground for cats as well,” said Rafael Pizana, cat rescuer.

Pizana says he first began feeding the cats on the property a year ago when his sister lived there. As residents began to move and leave their animals behind, Pizana noticed that many started to become infected with parasites.

“It’s hard for me to watch an animal suffer and not know where it’s next meal is coming from. Or watching it have a respiratory illness or be overrun with worms. One of the other bad problems that we have there is a lot of stagnant water, and they’re getting giardia, which is a very, very bad parasite,” said Pizana.

Pizana has taken in 13 cats, building a home in his backyard to nurse them back to health. There are approximately 20 more cats that still need a new home. Pizana says the property developer is also helping out.

“He’s allowing me to come in there and feed, and he’s allowing me to get skirting off of trailers and materials that they have there to build cat houses for folks who live in the country, want to take some of these cats, but they don’t have housing for them,” said Pizana.

The developer has also agreed to donate cat food, litter, and over-the-counter meds once the developing starts, but supplies are running out fast.

“if anybody, whatever capacity, if you could just help in some way, whether it’s financially, whether it’s actually getting a cat, helping out these organizations, seek them out and see what kind of help that they need,” said Pizana.

Local shelters are at capacity, but Pizana urges residents to donate or volunteer if they can.

To donate or volunteer, email rafaelpizana4@gmail.com.

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