20 Cats Rescued From Neptune Hoarding Situation

NEPTUNE, NJ — The Monmouth County SPCA says it rescued 20 cats from a hoarding situation last Wednesday in Neptune.

SPCA Police said they received an anonymous call about several cats living in an apartment; the specific street was not given.

The apartment in Neptune had two adults and two children, ages 6 and 3, also living there. According to the anonymous caller, the children were frequently sent home from school due to poor hygiene, prompting MCSPCA officials to put in a referral to the Division of Child Protection & Permanency.

SPCA law enforcement officials went to the home, where they found 20 cats, two of which were kittens, living in a bug-infested apartment. While wearing full protective gear, and after several hours of recovering the cats and kittens, the animals were transferred to the shelter where they all received medical evaluations. Many of the cats were found to have upper respiratory infections, eye ulcers, some with dental disease, and were all very scared upon intake, but generally in fair health.

Monmouth SPCA Director Ross Licitra said the family "was struggling."

“This is one of those sad situations where a family in our community really needed help — they were struggling, so we stepped in," he said. "We took in 20 cats and kittens from their home, who now will receive the love and medical care they so desperately need. The Monmouth County SPCA was the first organization to assist this family, which will now trickle down to other entities to help the children and adults in the home.”

The 20 cats were taken into the MCSPCA’s care without any monetary contributions from the owners, so the shelter is seeking donations to help aid in their ongoing care. Tax-deductible donations can be made here: give.classy.org/neptunehoardingcats