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Residents in Highland Township concerned over evicted family's abandoned cats

Posted at 6:19 PM, Jan 03, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-03 18:19:42-05

HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WXYZ) — Neighbors in Highland Township tell us several cats have been abandoned after a family moved out of home.

As many as nine cats have been spotted hanging around the now vacant home.

Neighbors tell us the people living there may have been evicted and they moved out this week, leaving behind the cats.

Our crew spotted at least five cats when we visited the home on Davista Drive near Duck Lake Road.

Some folks took to Facebook, posting a photo in a Highland community group. You can see three cats sitting on furniture left out on the curb.

Cameron Lennis lives across the street and will be helping the property owner renovate the home now that the tenants are gone.

He says the cats have been a nuisance in the neighborhood...

“When they use the bathroom, it’s in all of our front yards and all over the place. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stepped in cat poop just jumping out of my truck trying to go in my house,” he says.

It looks like animals have already tore into the trash.

We noticed the hatch was left open and there is an opening to the basement.

“I’m hoping Animal Control can come get them or at least try to catch them. If not, then God only knows,” says Lennis.

“The cats appeared healthy. They didn’t appear to be in any danger,” says Oakland County spokesperson Bill Mullan.

We reached out to Animal Control and they tell us that the renters are looking for new homes for the cats or hoping a rescue will pick them up.

Animal Control was also told that someone is coming by daily to feed them.

As of now, county officials say the cats are not considered abandoned and the owners have not violated any laws, but they will continue to keep a eye on the situation.

“They are being cared for. They are not in any danger,” says Mullan.