30 Cats Rescued From Great Valley Barn Collapse During Tornado
30 Cats Rescued From Great Valley Barn Collapse During Tornado
After a devastating storm, a grassroots rescue effort is giving 30 displaced cats and kittens a second chance.
GREAT VALLEY - After a devastating tornado tore through Great Valley earlier this month, not all the survivors walked on two legs.
Thirty barn cats - many of them kittens - were rescued from the rubble of a collapsed barn, frightened, injured, and in urgent need of shelter and care. The immediate rescue, getting the cats out of the mud and out from under debris, led by good samaritan Jess Anderson, neighbor Pete Sunderland, and then the collective round up coordinated by local animal advocates Melanie Pritchard, Maria Berra, Betsy Peyser and the CLAWS (Cats Lives Are Worth Saving) team, quickly evolved into a full-scale recovery mission.
“These aren’t just cats,” said Pritchard, also a local realtor known for her commitment to animal welfare. “They’re survivors. And now they need us.”
Seventeen of the rescued animals are kittens, some just weeks old. Volunteers gave them names that reflect what they’ve been through - Twister, Dorothy, Fujita, Cumulus, and more - each one a small symbol of resilience after the storm.
The barn they once called home is gone. Since the rescue, CLAWS has mobilized to provide emergency veterinary care, temporary housing, and basic supplies. But with over 30 animals now in their care, the costs are mounting, and the need for help has become urgent.
CLAWS has already secured emergency vet visits and initial supplies, but the team is still working to cover: Spay and neuter services for all 30 cats; ongoing veterinary care and medications; food, litter, and daily care necessities; shelter needs, power, and air conditioning; transport to barns, foster homes, and adoptive families.
“We rarely ask publicly like this,” Pritchard said, “but this situation is different. These cats were pulled from debris. They’ve survived unthinkable trauma. And caring for them is expensive.”
How the community can help:
Donate: A GoFundMe page has been launched to support the cost of care. Every donation goes directly to medical bills, food, and shelter.
Foster or Offer Barn Space: CLAWS is seeking temporary and long-term homes for the animals. If you have space - or just a willingness to help - reach out.
Spread the Word: Share this story. One post might lead to one more safe, warm home.
“This tornado took a lot from this community,” said Pritchard. “But it doesn’t have to take the future from these animals. With the community’s help, we can turn disaster into second chances.”
To support the Tornado Cats and CLAWS’ rescue efforts, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tornadorescued-cats-kittens.