The Humane Society of Huron Valley wants to find homes for 48 cats after they were rescued from the mobile home of a Plymouth man who was hoarding them.
Many of the cats were sick and needed medical attention. They had been living with the elderly man in deplorable conditions. Upon entering the trailer, cruelty investigators with HSHV discovered dead animals in plastic containers and a hot tub that was filled with feces.
Neighbors had complained about the conditions for years. Action was finally taken by new property management and that's when HSHV officials say they were contacted to remove the animals. The man has been relocated and the trailer was demolished, according to Tanya Hilgendorf, HSHV's president and CEO, in a post on the organization's website.
"It is regrettable that this situation went on for so long," Hilgendorf said. "The conditions that go along with animal hoarding violate state animal cruelty las and cause immense suffering for the animals. It also indicates that a person with serious mental health issues is not getting the help they need."
The cats, which include Lynx Point Siamese mixes, grey tabbies and brown tabbies, have been spayed or neutered, microchipped and vaccinated. They are now available for adoption but many of them are not suitable as house pets.
HSHV has requirements for the care of outdoor or "barn cats." They are free to those willing to adopt them. Click here for the application.
