INDEPENDENCE TWP., Mich. (WWJ) -- An investigation is underway after animal control officers rescued 100 cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals from a home in Oakland County earlier this week.
Officials with the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center say officers were called to do a welfare check at a home in the 6000 block of Northview Drive in Independence Township on Tuesday, where they found horrible living conditions for dozens of animals.
Officers discovered 82 cats, eight ferrets, five dogs, four rabbits and one bearded dragon inside the home.
Many of the cats were in distress due to high temperatures in the home, which lacked air condition and airflow. The temperature inside the home was higher than the outdoor temperature, which was in the 80s on Tuesday.
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Officials said nine of the cats were dead when the officers arrived, two died in transit to the animal shelter, and two more died overnight at the shelter.
Veterinarians had to euthanize three more cats because of their deteriorating health from an infectious disease, leaving 66 cats alive at the shelter, as of Thursday afternoon.
All of the other animals are still alive and receiving veterinary care at the shelter.
Animal control officers had obtained permission from the residents to enter and inspect the home. When they entered, they discovered many of the animals were in poor condition and needed veterinary attention, so officers removed them and brought them to the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center.
The couple who lived at the home told officers they were providing “care” for the cats as part of their involvement with a cat rescue organization.
The woman surrendered ownership of the cats to the shelter, but some of the other animals in the home were privately owned by the woman and another adult tenant of the house, who had recently moved in.
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They both refused to relinquish ownership of those animals, despite officers removing them from the home. Consequently, the animal shelter will begin forfeiture proceedings.
The case remains under investigation by animal control officers, and when the investigation is complete, officers will present the results to the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Officer for review and consideration of criminal charges.