40 Cats Rescued From Studio Apartment In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego Humane Society law enforcement officers rescued 40 cats from a studio apartment in San Diego, authorities said Monday.

On Aug. 6, a concerned person within the community reported that multiple cats and a strong odor was coming from a unit in the 1400 block of Imperial Avenue. It was later determined that the owner, an elderly woman who was hospitalized, could no longer care for the pets, according to the San Diego Humane Society.

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Officials said law enforcement worked with building management and the tenant's family to enter the unit and safely rescue the pets.

The cats were rescued over the course of several weeks due to conditions in the unit and the animals hiding. A total of 15 cats were rescued on Sept. 17, 11 on Sept. 24 and 14 on Oct. 1.

Each animal has received vaccines and medical exams, with several being treated for upper respiratory infections, according to the Humane Society.

At least 16 cats have been adopted and eight are currently available for adoption.

A family member of the previous owner still has two cats, San Diego Humane Society spokesperson Nina Thompson told Patch.

Some of the remaining cats were being held for veterinary care, awaiting spay/neuter procedures, or under behavior modification, Thompson said. A few of the younger kittens are in foster care.

"In short, that means they are not ready for adoption yet, but will be in the future," she said.