West Islip homeowner charged after 100+ cats found in Long Island home
WEST ISLIP, Long Island (WABC) -- A homeowner is facing charged after more than 100 cats were found inside a home on Long Island.
The animals were found in a house on Patricia Avenue in West Islip after the SPCA says it received an anonymous tip on Tuesday.
Grace Etzelberger, 66, has been charged with animal neglect and confinement. She is accused of breeding and selling the cats -- many of which were Maine Coons.
On Wednesday, animal rescue volunteers described pulling cats from mountains of filth in the now-condemned home.
"The house was disgusting, was absolutely deplorable, there was wall-to-wall feces and urine, there was not any place clean at all in the house," volunteer Renee Kraft said. "The litter boxes weren't cleaned, the cats were just defecating and urinating anywhere in the house."
Some neighbors said besides large boxes of pet food being delivered to the house, they never noticed anything out of the ordinary.
Animal lovers say they hope this is the start of a new chapter for the cats, but they still have a long road to recovery.
They will all be examined by a veterinarian before being placed for adoption.
Volunteers with Last Hope say it is possible more cats are in the home still hiding in the walls or under debris. They anticipate returning to the house again this week to try to rescue them.
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