Emergency mission led by PFCI with support from volunteers, Tamil Nadu Police, Fire & Rescue Services, and SAWB
Chennai: In what is being hailed as Chennai’s largest-ever single-location cat rescue, People For Cattle In India (PFCI) successfully led the dramatic rescue of 40 abandoned cats—including kittens and fragile adult felines—who were locked inside a house on East Coast Road without food or water.
The cats had been left alone for days before locals noticed the situation. Concerned residents and animal lovers began feeding them through windows, hoping to keep them alive. But tragedy struck when one kitten fell critically ill and died despite emergency care. This loss sparked urgent action from PFCI, which quickly organized a full-scale emergency response.
“We were feeding them scraps for days, praying they’d survive. When one kitten died, our hearts broke. We couldn’t stand by anymore—this rescue had to happen,” shared a volunteer.
The rescue was not without its challenges. The cats panicked, hiding in tight spaces, dehydrated, and traumatized. But thanks to the coordination between PFCI, Tamil Nadu Police, Fire & Rescue Department, State Animal Welfare Board (SAWB), and a dedicated team of volunteers and supporters, the team safely extracted and relocated all 40 animals.
Cats Have Been Relocated To:People for Animals (PFA) Chennai – Thiruvallur: 16 cats, Daisy Animal Shelter – ECR: 6 cats, Nitya Cat Home – Redhills: 8 cats, Prithvi Kennels – Kovalam: 10 cats.
The effort was made possible by the hard work of committed volunteers:
Lima, Nithya, Sherin, Hari, Mani, Sai, Siddharth, and Harsha, who worked through physically and emotionally demanding conditions to ensure every cat made it out alive.
PFCI extends sincere gratitude to the Tamil Nadu Police for essential support and legal assistance, the Fire & Rescue Department for swift on-ground response, SAWB for coordination and oversight, and all shelter partners for welcoming the cats on such short notice.
“Seeing them suffer broke my heart, but seeing so many come together—volunteers, officials, shelter staff—restored my hope. We’ve rescued them, but now we must help them recover,” said Arun Prasanna, Founder of PFCI.
PFCI is now seeking help from the public to continue caring for the rescued cats. Immediate needs include:
People For Cattle In India (PFCI) is a Chennai-based animal welfare organization established in 2012. Focused on preventing illegal cattle trafficking and other cruelty to animals, PFCI has saved over 1,000 animals to date. The organization also distributes thousands of water bowls across Tamil Nadu each summer. It actively works with communities and authorities to promote compassion, legal compliance, and sustainable animal welfare.
