100 animals – 16 dead – removed from “unhealthy conditions” at Oakland County home

CITY OF INDEPENDENCE, Mich. – One hundred animals, including 16 dead cats, dozens of sick cats, dogs, rabbits and ferrets and a bearded dragon, were removed from the “unhealthy conditions” within a Oakland County home, officials said.

Oakland County Animal Adoption Center and Animal Shelters were called Tuesday (August 24) to a Northview Drive home in Independence Township, according to authorities.

When they arrived, officials said they found 100 animals: 82 cats, five dogs, eight ferrets, four rabbits and a bearded dragon. The animals “lived in very unhealthy conditions and showed signs of disease,” animal Control said the officers.

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Of the 82 cats, many were distressed due to high temperatures in the home, authorities said. The house has no air conditioning and airflow, so inside it was even hotter than 80s temperatures outside, according to officials.

Nine of the cats died at the scene, two died while being transported and two died overnight at the shelter, officials said. Veterinarians had to euthanize three more cats because of an infectious disease, authorities said.

The remaining 66 cats, eight ferrets, five dogs, four rabbits and a bearded dragon are being cared for at the shelter, according to Animal Control.

Officials were able to enter the home with the permission of the resident and her partner, they said. Since many of the animals needed immediate medical attention, they were removed and taken to the Oakland County Animal and Pet Adoption Center, officials said.

The owner and her husband said they paid “attention” to the cats as part of their involvement with a rescue organization. He ceded ownership of them to the shelter, authorities said.

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Some of the animals were privately owned by the woman and another adult tenant of the house who had recently moved in, according to officials. Neither gave up ownership of the animals, even though they were removed from the house, authorities said.

Officials at the Oakland County Animal and Pet Adoption Center said they will begin confiscation proceedings.

This case is still being investigated. Animal control officers plan to present their findings to the Oakland County Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of criminal charges.