The cats are receiving medical care, behavioral evaluations and are expected to become available for adoption after recovery
NEED TO KNOW
- The Animal Humane Society rescued 71 cats from a Minnesota home after a neighbor reported suspected unsafe conditions
- The cats were found underweight, suffering from infections, and living in high ammonia levels and piles of trash
- Once rehabilitated, the cats will be available for adoption at the organization’s centers across Minnesota
Over 70 cats are recovering after being rescued from what the Animal Humane Society described as a severe hoarding situation at a home in rural Minnesota.
According to KARE 11 and ABC 5, the Animal Humane Society (AHS) rescued 71 cats and kittens from a property in Sibley County on Tuesday, July 7, after receiving a report from a concerned neighbor about the number of animals living there.
In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, the organization said investigators found conditions inside the structure that posed serious risks to both animals and humans.
“The ammonia levels in the structure were dangerously high, the cats had no access to water, and the cats were living among piles of trash, carpets of feces, and crumbling walls,” said the AHS.
Credit: Sibley County Cats
Dr. Sara Lewis, AHS’s vice president of veterinary medicine, told KARE 11 that the scene was devastating.
“It’s a heartbreaking thing to know an animal has lived in a condition that is unsanitary, that’s unhealthy for them,” Lewis said. “It’s also really exciting for me to see them and know the day that they arrive here is the day they get the help they need.”
According to the organization, the rescued cats range in age and arrived underweight, hungry, and suffering from respiratory infections. Many also had open wounds that will require ongoing veterinary treatment.
The cats are currently receiving medical exams and care at AHS’s Golden Valley facility, where staff are working to stabilize them before they move on to the next stages of rehabilitation.
“For these guys, we were able to make enough space to adequately house them, to give them everything they need,” said Lewis.
Credit: Sibley County Cats
In addition to vaccinations and spay/neuter surgeries, Animal Humane Society confirmed that every cat will receive a behavioral evaluation and support from its behavior team. “We try to move as quickly as possible, but as safely as possible,” Lewis added.
Once the animals have recovered and completed their evaluations, they will be transferred to the organization’s adoption centers in Coon Rapids, Golden Valley and Woodbury to begin searching for permanent homes. Officials expect the first cats could become available for adoption “sometime next week.”
The organization also emphasized the scale of the operation.
“AHS is the only organization in Minnesota with the resources and expertise needed to handle cases this large and severe,” the company’s statement read in part.
Regarding the property’s owner, Lewis noted that the owner had abandoned the home and voluntarily surrendered custody of the cats, allowing the rescue to proceed without law enforcement involvement.
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She added that the case highlights the importance of community members speaking up when they suspect animals may be in danger.
“We rely on our community to let us know that these things might be happening and then we can go and investigate,” Lewis said. “These animals don’t have anybody else, and so it’s really awesome to offer them what they need, simply by just being here.”
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