30 Tornado-Survivor Barn Cats Rescued Near Great Valley. CLAWS Issues Urgent Plea for Support, Fosters.
Great Valley, NY — In the aftermath of the powerful tornado that ripped through Great Valley earlier this month, a remarkable rescue mission unfolded—not just for people, but for the animals left behind.
Thirty barn cats—many of them kittens—were saved from the wreckage of a destroyed barn, terrified, injured, and in critical need of care. The initial rescue effort, pulling the cats from mud and collapsed debris, was led by good samaritan Jess Anderson and neighbor Pete Sunderland. That effort quickly expanded, with local animal advocates Melanie Pritchard, Maria Berra, Betsy Peyser, and the CLAWS (Cats Lives Are Worth Saving) team rallying to provide aid.
“These aren’t just cats,” said Pritchard, a local realtor and longtime animal rescue volunteer. “They’re survivors. And now they need us.”
Seventeen of the rescued cats are young kittens, some only weeks old. Volunteers named them Twister, Dorothy, Fujita, Cumulus, and others—a nod to their harrowing beginnings and a symbol of their resilience.
The barn that once sheltered them is gone. In the days since, CLAWS volunteers have mobilized to provide emergency vet care, shelter, and daily supplies. But with more than 30 animals now in their care, the financial burden is growing fast.
What’s Been Covered — and What’s Still Needed:
While some urgent needs have already been met—like initial vet checks and basic supplies—CLAWS is still seeking help for:
- Spay/neuter services for all 30 cats • Continued veterinary treatment and medications • Food, litter, and cleaning supplies • Shelter infrastructure: fans, AC, and power • Transportation to fosters, barns, or adoptive homes.
“We don’t make public asks like this very often,” Pritchard said. “But this is one of those moments. These animals were literally pulled from disaster, and now we’re trying to give them a shot at a better life.”
How You Can Help:
- Donate: A GoFundMe page is now live. Every contribution goes directly toward vet care, food, and transport.
- Foster or Offer Barn Space: CLAWS is urgently seeking both temporary fosters and long-term barn placements.
- Spread the Word: Share their story. Awareness is just as vital as funds or space—every share could save a life.
“This storm hit our region hard,” Pritchard added. “But we have a chance to do something good here. These cats deserve that.”
To support CLAWS and the Tornado Cats, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tornadorescued-cats-kittens or visit their fb page “CLAWS in Ellicottville, NY”.