OAKLAND CO. (WXYZ) — The Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center is seeking animal neglect and abuse charges against a West Bloomfield Township homeowner accused of hoarding 178 cats – the largest number of animals hoarded in Oakland County history, according to a release.
The 178 cats were removed from a home in the 1700 block of Elsie Drive from April 24 to May 17. Since then, 60 of the cats have been euthanized due to severe illness or aggression.
“This is the worst animal hoarding case I have seen in my entire career,” said Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center Manager Bob Gatt. “These cats were living in deplorable conditions.
They were not provided with the adequate care necessary to maintain good health.”
Many of the cats taken from the home had health issues including upper respiratory infections, fleas, skin infections, ear mites and malnutrition. Some of the female cats have also given birth since being removed from the home and arriving at the shelter.
The animals were discovered when an Oakland County Animal Control officer responded to the home on April 24 to perform a welfare check on cats that were believed to be abandoned inside. The officer spotted at least a half-dozen cats through the home's window. Those cats looked ill and were in unsanitary conditions, the officer reported.
A search warrant was then obtained and the cats were removed from the home with the assistance of the West Bloomfield Police Department. Upon entering the home, officials discovered at least 100 cats at the time.
The homeowner relinquished ownership of the cats.
There were so many cats that were removed from the day the hoarding was discovered, that on April 26, the remaining cats were temporary left inside the home due to a lack of space at the animal shelter at the time. Those animals were given food and water until they were removed.
The Oakland County Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center is turning the case over to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office to determine what charges, if any, will be filed against the homeowner.
For more information on the cats that were rescued, as some are available for adoption, contact OakGov.com/PetAdoption or call 248-858-1070.
