Authorities Seize 88 Sick, Malnourished Cats From Ypsilanti Home

YPSILANTI TWP. (WWJ/AP) - Authorities say they seized 88 sick and malnourished cats from an Ann Arbor-area home in a suspected hoarding case.

The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) says the animals were rescued this week from a home in Washtenaw County's Ypsilanti Township. The group got several tips about the home and found the cats on Tuesday night.

HSHV said the home had feces, flies and garbage inside. Cats were found throughout the house.

"We will definitely be working with the prosecutor to seek charges. This is probably the worst hoarding case we've seen in recent years. The house was beyond disgusting," Matt Schaecher, Director of HSHV's Animal Cruelty and Rescue Department, said in a statement.

"There were fragile little cats in every nook and cranny of the house. I literally pulled four cats out of the silverware drawer," Schaecher added.

The Humane Society said officials are assessing each cat and some have health problems related to the home's condition.

"Even though many are in pretty rough shape, I think with the right treatment and care they have a great prognosis. These kitties will also need high quality, nutritious food to support their healing," Dr. Carrie Allen, HSHV Shelter Veterinarian, said in a statement.

HSHV is planning a weekend adoption event to help make room for the cats. From Friday through Sunday, all of the society's healthy cats over the age of 5-months-old will be eligible for free adoption. Every cat ready for adoption at HSHV has been spayed or neutered, vaccinated, tested for feline leukemia, given flea preventative and a microchip.

To see which cats are available for adoption, click here.

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