Berks 69 News article on Douglassville Veterinary Hospital’s role in helping the late Levan sister’s cats

​Berks 69 News Story
Pam Cunningham | Reporter
Posted: 5:04 pm EDT May 6, 2010Updated: 6:09 pm EDT May 6, 2010AMITY TWP., Pa. — It’s been more than a week since two women were shot and killed at the Hillside Motel in Amity Township, Berks County.The Levan sisters were known for their big hearts.And now the Douglassville Veterinary Hospital is paying tribute to their memory.The hospital typically cares for cats, but it doesn’t offer them up for adoption.But some cats the hospital is caring for now are special. They lived at the Hillside Motel.People would probably dump cats there because they knew they had a big heart and they knew the Levan sisters would take care of them, as they always do, said Dr. Geoff DeWire, Douglassville Veterinary Hospital.Charlene and Carolyn Levan were found shot to death and covered with blankets last Tuesday.It tore everyone up, said DeWire. It was a huge tragedy in the community, especially here because we knew them so well.DeWire said for 13 years, the Levan sisters brought the motel cats to the Douglassville Veterinary Hospital.They would routinely have cats that would come onto their property, said DeWire. They would always raise the cats. They would name them, bring them in, make sure they were healthy, get them vaccinated.When the Levan sisters were killed, about 15 cats lost their mothers.Because they were such dedicated and selfless cat owners, said DeWire, the only way to honor their memory is to make sure these cats are healthy.The nurses are caring for about six cats right now. They are in the process of trapping the others.The Humane Society and The Animal Rescue League are inundated already, said DeWire. It’s kitten season coming up and we would hate to have any of these cats put down because they are indoor/outdoor, so it makes it harder for them to be adopted.They said it’s the least they can do.Speaking about them and passing along their legacy and telling how great of people they were is one thing, said DeWire. But they loved those cats like family members so in some ways it would be taking care of their family. And it’s the best we can do for them I think. I’m not giving up on Carolyn Levan’s cats.