More than 50 cats and kittens were taken from a Tucson home Friday, in the third hoarding rescue in three weeks, authorities said.
Field services officers with the Pima County Animal Care Center removed 54 cats from the home, and members of the shelter team worked late into the night to check their weights, vaccinate and deworm them before transferring the animals to the medical team, according to a post on PACC's Facebook page.
Additional community agencies responded to the home, which was described as being in "deplorable" condition, and addressed safety concerns with the structure, said Pima County spokesman, Mark Evans.
PACC has reached out to rescue and shelter partners for help make room for the new cats, who need medical care and isolation time. Many organizations, including the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and Saving Animals From Euthanasia, have already agreed to take other PACC cats into their care to make room for the new arrivals, Evans said.
The 57 cats who were rescued from a Jan. 19 hoarding situation are ready to leave the shelter, and anyone who takes one home won't pay a fee, according to PACC's Facebook page.
Through Feb. 14, PACC is running a special on all other pets, with adoption fees priced at $14 or less. The fee includes the pet's spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations, microchip and vet visit. A standard licensing fee of $17 will apply for all dogs.
For those who can't adopt, PACC is asking the public to please consider helping in another way, by making a donation or gift of medical supplies.
It's currently unknown when the newly rescued cats will be available for adoption.
