More Than 100 Cats Rescued From Texas Home

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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Animal control officials and members of the Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT) rescued 108 cats from a house in Vernon yesterday.

When workers arrived they said the cats living in squalor, both inside and outside the 1,100 square-foot house. "The smell of ammonia and feces was unbearable, even from the street in front of the house," said HSNT investigator Kim Meek. "Instead of providing litter boxes for the animals, the owners made a make-shift litter box by covering the floor of an entire room with wood shavings."

In addition to not having basic access to food and water, officials said their medical needs were being neglected. The majority of the cats had infestations and infections; five were even diagnosed with life-threatening conditions.

Veterinarian Cynthia Jones said, "It is not unusual for cats rescued from hoarding situations to be severely ill as a result of their stressful and intolerable living conditions."

HSNT is going to court to try and get custody of all the felines. If their petition is granted they say they'll work to find homes for the cats as soon as they have physically recuperated, had medical treatment and received spay and neuter surgeries.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to help with the care of the cats before they're adopted can log on to the HSNT website or send a donation by mail to 1840 E. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76103.

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