NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Monmouth County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement found 20 cats in a bug-infested apartment in New Jersey after receiving an anonymous tip last week.
Rescuers responded to an anonymous tip on Nov. 1, about a situation involving several cats and a family living in an unsanitary apartment in Neptune, Monmouth County.
Officers found sick cats, including two kittens, in a bug-infested environment and the apartment was also home to two adults and two children who were reportedly suffering from hygiene-related issues at school, MCSPCA said.
Officials referred the case to the Division of Child Protection & Permanency as it involved a 6-year-old and 3-year-old.
Workers put on full personal protective equipment and removed the cats safely from the apartment. They were transferred to their shelter for medical evaluation.
Many of the cats were treated for upper respiratory infections, eye ulcers, dental diseases, and while scared, were in good health overall.
“This is one of those sad situations where a family in our community really needed help - they were struggling, so we stepped in,” Ross Licitra, Executive Director of the Monmouth County SPCA, said.
The organization is now giving full medical treatments to the cats to prepare them for future adoption.
The MCSPCA is also seeking public support to fund the ongoing care of the rescued cats.