Nearly two dozen animals orphaned after fatal Fresno stabbing
FRESNO, Calif. -- A Fresno woman stabbed to death outside her home has left nearly two dozen animals orphaned.
Just a few feet away from a memorial for Mary Lara, her animals cried as they were put into crates.
"The goal is to try and keep them as comfortable as possible and lessen the panic level," said Beth Caffrey with the Cat House on the Kings. "A lot of them are not used to being in carriers just yet."
A few weeks ago, police say Lara was defending her cats and dogs, when a neighbor stabbed her to death. Lara's family reached out to rescue officials to help the orphaned pets.
Family Spokesperson Marie said, "I just couldn't see anything happen to them knowing how much love she had for them."
The Cat House on the Kings and Animal Rescue of Fresno, or ARF, have joined efforts to help these animals find a permanent home. Wednesday, they gathered the animals one by one.
"They absolutely feel the loss of the woman who cared for them and loved them," said Animal Rescue Fresno President Linda Guthrie. "I guess the little poodle, she slept with the woman. They are totally loss. They grieve just like we do."
Animal rescuers say that poodle is in need of medical care, but the others are in moderate health and have friendly demeanors.
There are nearly two dozen orphaned pets, most of them are cats. Animal rescuers have already been able to find one German shepherd a new home.
Caffrey added, "She loved the animals, that loves gotta continue on and we're hoping others will share with that , especially in her memory. So we protect our loved ones and that's what she was doing."
The animals will be taken to veterinarians to be treated and put up for adoption in the coming weeks.
Rescue officials say they hope this tragic story will end with these cats and dogs finding forever and happy homes.
Cat House on the Kings
Animal Rescue of Fresno
