By Rachel Cain | Annual Giving Associate
Within days of opening the Animal Crimes Forensic Center at Oregon Humane Society, our Humane Law Enforcement
(HLE) team was contacted by the Salem Police Department. Officers were investigating a case of animal abandonment and neglect in Marion County. When officers arrived, they discovered a home with several cats inside, left without food or water—living in their own waste, flea-ridden, and deserted.
One of these precious cats was Judith.
My name is Erika Sims, and I am the Feline Behavior Modification Manager for OHS, working with cats like Judith, the most fearful and shy that come into our care. In the twenty-four years I have worked for OHS, I’ve seen our programs and services evolve. OHS is so much more than a shelter, but an agency of transformation for animals in
desperate need of safety and care. Pets like Judith cannot speak for themselves, but we are able to give them a voice because of the support from people like you.
Salem Police acted quickly and the HLE team was able to assist Judith and the other cats in the home. All of the cats were transported to OHS to receive emergency medical services and care. Veterinary evidence would be critical in building a case against the suspect who’d left these animals in such dire conditions. Thanks to the support from our donors, the newly opened Animal Crimes Forensics Center (ACFC), one of only two facilities of its kind in the country, had the space and state-of-the-art tools for specially trained veterinarians to perform exams and document the evidence of the victims. Sadly, this included two deceased cats that were found.
Even though Judith was now safe at OHS, she and the other cats were terrified. Staff and volunteers moved slowly, with gentle hands assessing her condition, still Judith backed into corners, hissing and swatting. The environment she came from made her reluctant to trust humans. Thankfully, because of donor support, there was a purposefully built, calming space for Judith to recover in—the Behavior and Rescue Center (BRC).
The BRC offers wide kennels, stimulating play structures, large windows, and even a communal sunroom. The space is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main shelter, allowing the cats to rest, heal, and rebuild trust. Just what Judith needed. Over time, her fearful exterior melted away and her soft personality began to emerge. Time spent with our loving staff and volunteers imprinted new memories in Judith—humans can be safe and kind after all.
When she was ready, I set out to find the perfect family, one that would be patient and understanding of Judith’s traumatic past. Thankfully, Judith was adopted by Kaya, who today describes her as a massive snuggler who begs for forehead kisses and tummy rubs, a ball of yarn’s length away from that fearful cat she was.
Judith is now living the cozy cat life she truly deserves because of the kindness of our donors.
And Salem Police were able to track down and arrest Judith’s previous owner. Thanks in large part to the evidence our team collected at the ACFC, justice was served. The defendant plead guilty and was prohibited from owning animals for five years as part of their sentence.
Twenty-four years ago, when I first started working at OHS, Judith’s outcome would have been much different. A charge of animal neglect most likely would not have been successfully prosecuted and OHS didn’t have the space or resources that we have today. Your sustaining generosity has transformed OHS into a leader in animal welfare. In 2023, the Animal Crimes Forensics Center team performed services for 63 cases investigated by OHS Humane Law Enforcement and 22 other criminal justice agencies; this unique facility is quickly becoming a vital resource across the region.
There is still so much more work to be done and pets like Judith are counting on you. Will you give your most generous donation to provide more transformative care for pets in our communities?
Thank you for your compassion in helping create a More Humane Society. Because of you, animals have a voice!
For the animals,
Erika Sims
Feline Behavior Modification Manager
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