Over 15 cats rescued from overcrowded house in Montgomery – Animal shelters overwhelmed

Montgomery animal control officers are still trapping cats in and around a dirty, abandoned home in Orange County.

Local animal rights activists said this was an example that illustrated a growing local problem.

Diane Donahue, director of Animal Manor in Huegenot, introduced News 12 to some of the cats she rescued from the overcrowded home.

“They came from absolute filth,” Donahue said. “It was a terrible hoarding situation.”

Donahue told News 12 that at least 15 cats were found during the rescue, some with parasites, infected teeth and dehydration.

Animal Manor only had room for three of them.

Donahue said she and other shelter managers she works with are seeing an increase in the number of cats being surrendered by their owners.

The cats may come from a hoarding situation or simply from tenants who cannot find pet-friendly apartments.

“We’re getting calls from people who are just at the end of their rope,” Donahue said. “They end up living in their cars or tents to stay with their pets.”

Her three cats from the Montgomery home are doing better and staff are searching social media for name ideas.

The staff says it is especially helpful that the cats seem to like people, which makes them easier to find new homes.

Others, who are older and less sociable, spend the rest of their lives there.

Another reason for the problem is the lack of cheap, quick and nearby spay/neuter options, Donahue said. One of the three rescued cats has likely already had multiple litters, she said.

“They just multiply and will multiply over and over again,” she said. “And this situation is simply uncontrollable.”

Donahue said the Montgomery cat rescue took place at the home of a person who died there and another person police are looking for.

News 12 is waiting for responses from Montgomery Police to numerous requests for information about the cat rescue.

Spay and neuter options in Orange County: