Cats Saved From Hoarding Situation Look For Home

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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) --  Dozens of cats, found in deplorable conditions inside a storage facility are looking for a "Purr-ever Home."

Broward County Humane Society officials  said 88 cats were removed from a Fort Lauderdale storage facility last month where they had been housed in filthy crates. They called it a "hoarding situation."

"Fortunately a hoarding situation is rare but when it happens it is sad and tragic, said Lisa Mendheim with Broward Animal Care and Control.

Fort Lauderdale Police said there were numerous cats in each crate in the ten by twenty-foot storage garage off Mcnab Road in Fort Lauderdale. It lacked air conditioning and was bug infested.

Despite those living conditions, the cats are friendly and healthy.

"Most are shy because of where they were found" said Cherie Wachter of the Broward County Humane Society.

Leon Harris who knew the couple who rented the garage said he was there when authorities made the discovery.

"I was surprised when they pulled 80 out. There was a taped refrigerator and I think some were dead in there," said Harris.

To help their search for a new home, a special event is being held Saturday and Sunday from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Broward County Disaster Recovery Center, 3100 NW 19th Terrace in Pompano Beach.  All fees are being waived

Vet Judy Koscielniak is spaying and neutering all the animals. She said they are stressed.

"Most are licking their fur and they're small because of poor nutrition" she said.

The cats up for adoption will also be vaccinated and micro-chipped.