Rescuers were surprised to discover dozens of sick cats in a messy house in Oklahoma, USA.
Two rescue organizations, 9 Lives Rescue Oklahoma and Safe Haven Animal Rescue, rescued 70 cats from a house filled with trash and waste in Okemah, Oklahoma, USA, Story Trender reported on December 13.
Rescuers found nine cats dead upon arrival. Of the remaining animals, many have damaged eyes, respiratory problems or hair loss.
“Everything was terrible. The house was foreclosed on and the woman who lived there moved out on December 1. Before leaving the state, she left food and asked a neighbor to take care of the cats. This person did not been in that house for many years,” said volunteer Caitlin Sumler.
The neighbor was shocked to see the poor condition of the house so he called the rescue team for help. “I had to crouch and crawl in there because the mess was so high. I can’t believe people lived in such conditions until December 1. The cobwebs were so full that I had to crouch low. We wore mask but the smell was still terrible,” Sumler recounted.
Nine cats required eye surgery. Some of them have urinary tract infections, and some even have no teeth left, she said. All the cats were very thin and weak. Rescuers hope to find new owners for the cats after taking them home for care and rehabilitation.