Middle-aged Woman Found Dead in Cluttered Tuen Mun Flat; 14 Cats Rescued After Days Without Food
HK01 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago6 MIN
Summary
A woman in her 50s was discovered deceased in her densely cluttered Tuen Mun apartment on Tuesday morning, September 22. Police were called after her elderly mother reported having lost contact with her for several days. The fourteen cats she had kept inside the unit were found in distress, apparently without adequate water or food for days. A volunteer from pet supplies company EasyPet Limited and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) assisted in rescuing the animals, which have since been placed in temporary foster care at a pet hotel. The deceased woman's 90-year-old mother, who has dementia, is unable to take care of the cats, prompting calls for potential adopters.
Key Points
- Police received a report from the deceased's elderly mother around midnight on September 22 and discovered the woman dead in her cluttered unit on Cheng Choi Street in Tuen Mun
- Fourteen cats were found in the unit, believed to have gone without water and food for one to two days before being rescued
- SPCA personnel attended the scene, examined the cats, and deemed them healthy enough to be relocated
- Haru, a volunteer from EasyPet Limited (依時寵物), helped the family take custody of the cats and arranged temporary boarding at a pet hotel
- The volunteer, who has rescued over 400 cats since 2023, had known the deceased as a customer for three to four years
- Ten of the fourteen cats have skin conditions, one has paralyzed hind legs, and three to four have rotting toe issues
- The cats are described as friendly and unafraid of humans despite their conditions
- The temporary boarding costs 500 Hong Kong dollars per day for all fourteen cats, covered by the volunteer
Why It Matters
The case highlights the intersection of vulnerable populations living in extreme hoarding conditions and the animals dependent on them. With Hong Kong's aging population and limited animal welfare resources, such incidents underscore the need for better community outreach and support systems for both elderly residents and their pets. The volunteer is now seeking responsible adopters, hoping to place the fourteen cats after they undergo TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage) procedures and receive necessary medical care .
The case highlights the intersection of vulnerable populations living in extreme hoarding conditions and the animals dependent on them. With Hong Kong's aging population and limited animal welfare resources, such incidents underscore the need for better community outreach and support systems for both elderly residents and their pets. The volunteer is now seeking responsible adopters, hoping to place the fourteen cats after they undergo TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage) procedures and receive necessary medical care .