UPDATED: Battle Over Fate of Cats, Birds at Providence Nursing Home

UPDATED: Battle Over Fate of Cats, Birds at Providence Nursing Home

The daughter of a nurse at the Elmhurst Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Providence is claiming the new administration is trying to kill two resident cats -- which Elmhurst is calling "misinformation" but refusing to say what will become of the felines. Late on Monday, a Boston-public relations firm forwarded a statement from the corporation admitting the some of the cats were being removed.

"My mom works as a nurse at Elmhurst Nursing Home and the new administration wants to kill 2 of the resident cats. One is elderly and she does have stomach issues, but the vet gave her a clean bill of health. They also want to kill a younger cat named Junior. Junior may have a home to go to, but Bella wouldn’t do well in a home my mom thinks. She’s been there for year," wrote Erin Johnson McCann on Facebook. "They are also going to get rid of birds that live in an aviary there. My mom is furious and they are only giving the cats and birds until this Friday !!! 

"She asked me to post this in hopes that people will call and tell them not to do this. The residents enjoy the animals and the cats belonged to patients who have passed away. Please call Elmhurst and ask for the Administrator or nursing director. The number is 401- 456- 2000. Thank you!"

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Elmhurst Responds

When reached for comment, officials at Elmhurst said the post is misinformation -- but would not provide any further information. 

"The post is misinformation," said administrator Lore Stafford when reached by phone. "The cats belong to the facility. I cannot provide any further information."

Statement from Lore Stafford, Acting Administrator, Elmhurst Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center:

As Rhode Island’s only Eden Alternative facility, Elmhurst Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center provides a culture of genuine human caring as well as an environment open to the benefits of pet therapy.  In that spirit, Elmhurst residents are frequently visited by dogs through a pet therapy program, and the facility itself is home to three domesticated cats and six cage birds, all owned by the facility.  Unfortunately, two of our cats, while beloved by staff and residents, had to be put up for adoption due to health and other concerns.  The third cat will remain in a resident’s room for therapy purposes, and the pet birds will stay.  There has never been a plan to euthanize any pets.  Our staff is working collaboratively with animal advocates in the community to ensure that Bella and Junior are placed in loving homes to live out the remainder of their respective nine lives.