Meet Lacey and Leo. Today they're two happy, healthy cats. But a year ago... "They had corneal ulcers. They upper respiratory infections, eye infections, sinus infections," says pet-owner Beth Anderson, who adopted the cats after they were abused. "Some of them were so severely matted we had to shave them. They had ringworm." Lacey and Leo were just two of more than 60 cats being abused in one home. "The conditions were horrible," says humane society investigator Clay Foley. "All the cats were in cages. Of the 62, one cat was already deceased." Stories like these are tragic, upsetting, even unbelievable, but the Champaign County Humane Society says workers hear them all-to-often. "Behind closed doors practically anything can go on," says Foley. Employees at the humane society get about 200 calls a year of suspected animal abuse. It's a lot to handle. That's where Clay Foley comes in. He's the county's new animal abuse investigator. "I don't know really what i'm going to see day today," Foley says as he jumps in his van on the way to a call. "Some calls I think are going to be pretty minor and they end up being pretty serious." In just a few months Foley's seen his share of sad stories. "It's a very cold day today," he says. "I've seen actual dogs that have died in the elements." Foley says anytime the temperatures drop calls pick up. But day-after-day he braves trash, cold even crowded cages so animals won't have to. Then comes the hard part, deciding what is abuse. Sometimes, the answer is obvious. "No shelter no food no water and basically they're just tied to a cinder block," he says. Other times, Foley is faced with two tough choices... whether an injured or abused animal should live or be put down. "In some cases that is definitely a decision is best to be made." It's important work Beth Anderson understands first-hand, because it brought her Lacey and Leo. "They're so sweet, and they just bring so much joy to your life," Anderson says as she pets the two abused Persian she adopted. "They didn't know any better. The animals can't speak for themselves, and I think that somebody needs to speak up for them." Sidebar: If Foley or others determine a situation is abuse they can fine pet-owners or even impound an animal. Foley's been at the Humane Society nearly five months, and still hasn't had to go that far, but it isn't unheard of. He says it's often a matter of whether a concerned citizen will call in before it's too late. If you know about or suspect animal abuse... call the Champaign County Humane Society. You don't need to give your name. The number there is: (217) 344-7297.
