Boston

Nearly 80 Cats Rescued from Squalid Conditions in Mass. Homes

Fifty cats were removed from a South Shore home and 29 cats were removed from a Bristol County residence

The Animal Rescue League of Boston is urging people to recognize the signs of hoarding after they rescued nearly 80 cats and kittens from squalid conditions at two homes in Massachusetts.

Fifty kittens and cats were removed from a South Shore home after the animals were found living in squalor in a small apartment, according to the organization. They were discovered after the apartment’s tenants were evicted.

An initial visit to the apartment netted 34 cats. An additional 16 felines were taken when the ARL returned to the home during several trips. The ARL has set traps to see if more felines need to be rescued.

According to the organization, the tenants initially had three cats in their home, but that number quickly increased when the animals began to breed. Several dead cats were found in the space.

The 50 felines taken from the South Shore apartment are being housed at Boston and Dedham Animal Care and Adoption Centers. They are described as "under-socialized" and will need time to adjust to human contact and their new surroundings.

In a separate case, 29 cats were removed from a home in Bristol County that had high levels of ammonia in it.

The discovery was made last month when police were called to perform a welfare check at the residence. There, they found 29 cats living in the space.

Due to the high levels of ammonia in the home, animal officers were forbidden to enter the house without respirators. The ARL took the cats to the Dedham and Boston Animal Care and Adoption Centers location for treatment.

The cats taken from Bristol County were described as friendly, with some being ready for adoption.

However, some of the cats have medical conditions associated with animal overcrowding including fleas, dry skin and upper respiratory infections.

It is unclear when the rest of the felines will be available for adoption. The ARL reminds urges residents to spay and neuter their pets to avoid overpopulation.

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