Nineteen cats trapped inside a cluttered Lander house sparked a community rescue effort led by neighbor Cori Slingerland, who rallied donations and volunteers after seeing her neighbor’s mental health deteriorate, Cowboy State Daily reported on Wednesday.
- Cori Slingerland stepped into the hoarding crisis after years of watching her neighbor struggle.
- Lander residents funded the spay and neuter costs in just five hours following a Facebook appeal.
- Volunteers continue feeding outdoor cats and organizing care before winter sets in.
She only knew she had waited long enough.
“I can’t walk away,” Slingerland told Cowboy State Daily. “I’ve never been able to. I’ve been a magnet for stray animals my whole life.”
For years, Slingerland said she has seen the neighbor’s mental condition deteriorate.
It just got to the point where it is too much for her.”
It’s not my place to really be involved in the family.”
The daughter is now at the helm of her mother’s care and the property cleanup.
Slingerland has kept her focus on the animals.
“My very first emotion is just sadness,” Slingerland said. “Then your instincts kick in. It’s just like fight or flight. I see the situation and I’ve got to get these animals out of here.”
Some of the animals have already been lost.
Another cat, formerly named Lily, accidentally locked herself in a room and became trapped beneath the clutter.
Sapphire’s new life never came to be.
Fighting tears, Slingerland said she still can’t help but feel like she failed Sapphire.
Then was not the only one who stepped up.
“We don’t have billions,” Hamilton said. “In this case, they’re out of our area. We can’t do them for free.”
When she shared that figure with Slingerland, she didn’t hesitate and said she would raise it.
On Wednesday, she posted on Facebook asking the community for donations.
Slingerland said her phone buzzed all day with messages.
It’s truly been unbelievable.”
As of Friday morning, Slingerland said she was still looking to raise about $500.
I don’t know. This is the first step, to get them cared for so they don’t reproduce.”
Slingerland is not affiliated with a shelter.
She simply saw animals in need and decided to jump in and help.
