36 Cats Removed from Colts Neck Home Monday

Colts Neck, NJ - The Monmouth County SPCA had to remove 36 cats and kittens Monday night that were being kept indoors and outdoors at a Colts Neck home, the agency announced.

The SPCA arrived at the Mangnolia Lane property after a cruelty complaint was received on their New Jersey Animal Cruelty Hotline. The resident of the home, along with surrounding neighbors, had been feeding the indoor/outdoor cats and kittens over the past several years. Monday night into Tuesday morning, SPCA law enforcement removed 7 cats and kittens from the home, another 17 with help from the homeowner and the remaining 12 on the property using traps.

"The home was in good condition, however the cats and kittens have severe upper respiratory infections, several cases of conjunctivitis and possible pregnancies due to the animals not being spayed and neutered," said SPCA Lieutenant Tom Nuccio. The owners have not been charged with any wrongdoing or animal cruelty.

This comes after 17 dogs and puppies were removed over the weekend from "deplorable" conditions in Keyport, where they were covered in their own urine, feces and thick fleas. Unlike in the Colts Neck incident, those homeowners are facing several charges of animal cruelty. And earlier in June, 276 dogs — including a litter of newborn puppies, and as many as 20 pregnant dogs — were removed from a Howell home on June 4.

The cats and kittens are now in the care of the Monmouth County SPCA and are being vaccinated, dewormed and FIV/FeLV tested. The adult cats that lived outdoors and considered feral will go through the Monmouth County SPCA TNR program where they will be spayed and neutered and released back onto the property. The kittens will be spayed and neutered and put up for adoption in the next few weeks. The homeowner has given Humane Law Enforcement full cooperation and the MCSPCA asks that any outside rescue groups refrain from interfering, which is in the best interest of all parties involved.