Officials: 24 cats rescued from 'deplorable conditions' at McKees Rocks home

Twenty-four cats and kittens were rescued from a McKees Rocks home after humane officers found them living in “deplorable conditions,” according to officials at Animal Friends, an Ohio Township-based animal rescue.

Officers said they visited the home Monday where they found the large number of cats, some just days old, in unsanitary conditions.

Cody Hoellerman, director of Animal Friends, told Tribune-Review news partner WPXI-TV that the smell from feces and urine “was horrible.” He added the some cats were hiding inside furniture.

The cats were taken to Animal Friends where they received medical attention. Seven adult cats tested positive for feline leukemia, a contagious virus that can lead to death. Kittens that were exposed to the virus are too young to be tested, but have been moved to foster homes to be closely monitored. A test will be done between six and eight weeks of age.

“Although their condition is still very uncertain, we know that many of the tiny kittens likely wouldn’t have survived if they had remained in the house,” a post on the rescue’s Facebook page reads.

An online fundraiser is being held on Animal Friend’s Facebook page. So far, just over $1,360 has been raised to help rehabilitate the cats and kittens.