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PACC rescues more than 40 cats from hoarder

Pima Animal Care Center officers rescued more than 40 cats from a hoarder in central Tucson.

Posted Updated

By
Phil Villarreal
, Priscilla Casper
PIMA COUNTY, AZ — Pima Animal Care Center officers rescued more than 40 cats from a hoarder in central Tucson.

According to PACC, the cats had been living among piles of garbage and waste swarming with bugs.

"These cats will need lifesavers," said PACC Director Kristen Auerbach, in a statement. "Despite the conditions they've been living under, they're all friendly, beautiful and highly adoptable, and even as they were being removed from the home, they were seeking affection from our officers."

Auerbach says on July 12th PACC got a call about possible hoarding case and were able to get a search warrant to enter the home Tuesday.

The cats, which are emaciated, anemic and suffering respiratory infections, will receive medical care. Once they recover, the cats will be available for adoption.

Auerbach says treatment can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars per cat and that this couldn't come at a worse time because the center is overcrowded with more than 600 animals.

Tucson police say no arrests have been made but the investigation is ongoing.

Auerbach says officers will be going back this week to make sure there are no additional cats left and that the cats should be up for adoption in a couple weeks.

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