260 Cats Removed From Frankford Home
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Pennsylvania SPCA said they found hundreds of cats inside a Frankford home Wednesday.
The organization said its Human Law Enforcement Officers executed a warrant to remove 260 felines from unsanitary confinement at the home on the 1600 block of Filmore Street.
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The SPCA indicates that the elderly woman who lived there was trying to provide a shelter when things spiraled out of control. They have been working with her over the past few weeks and they say at one point, she had as many as 300 cats, but did recently surrender about 30 animals.
Destiny Perez, a local resident with a 14-month-old daughter said she worried about the cats, "My daughter has been scratched twice. They like to bite and rub all over you. Some of them would sneak in the houses."
Sarah Eramus of the PSPCA said, "It's sad. You can see our officers have masks on and respirators so they can spend time in there. So you can imagine what it is like for the cats."
The animals will be transported to the PSPCA's Erie Avenue headquarters for veterinary exams, treatment and shelter. The PSPCA also says it's created a temporary cat shelter onsite to help cope with the influx of felines.
"This is a sad situation involving a woman who wanted to help animals, but got in over her head and couldn't provide the care this number of cats requires," said CEO Jerry Buckley in a release. "We're doing everything we can to ensure the wellbeing of these cats."
According to the IRS and city records, CBS 3 has learned the non-profit rescue shelter called "Animals In Crisis" operated inside the twin home that had part of the center interior wall removed.
The SPCA says the woman was licensed to operate a rescue shelter.
As of now, the woman has not been charged, but an investigation is ongoing.
