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Jun 05, 2025

Winthrop animal shelter has stopped accepting cats

WINTHROP -- The Protectors of Animal Life Society No-Kill Cat Shelter has stopped accepting cats due to financial constraints. The shelter rescues and rehomes 400 to 500 cats a year, according to PALS

WINTHROP -- The Protectors of Animal Life Society No-Kill Cat Shelter has stopped accepting cats due to financial constraints.

The shelter rescues and rehomes 400 to 500 cats a year, according to PALS Executive Director Theresa Silsby, including older cats and those with feline immunodeficiency virus.

The shelter has a “serious cash flow issue” and “some short-term, difficult decisions were made,” according to a message from PALS board chairperson Virginia Baghdoyan.

The shelter is also reducing the number of cats currently in its care from 100 to 50, Silsby said.

“Living in a shelter is very stressful, said Silsby. “Cats want to be in a home and be comfortable. We love them all we can but we are so happy when they go to a home.”

PALS is working with other shelters to help place cats that are difficult to adopt due to medical conditions, Silsby said.

“Many of these cats come from hoarding situations or places where their owners don’t want them anymore and they’re not in the best shape,” said Silsby. “But they’re the sweetest animals in the world and they’re always looking for a loving family and a place to call home.”

The shelter runs solely on adoption fees and fundraisers, according to Silsby. It costs $400,000 to $500,000 annually to run the shelter.

Anyone interested in donating can do so using the PALS Facebook page.