70 neglected cats find temporary homes

MOBILE, Ala. - A local organization rescued more than 70 cats that were abandoned in a home. Monday afternoon, the group stepped in to save the animals from neglect and homelessness. The group is dedicated to stopping the unnecessary suffering of animals.

The cats are comfortable, calm, and ready to be smothered with affection. A far cry from their recent living situation on Green Park Drive.

Debbie Simmons with the Azalea City Cat Coalition rescued more than 70 cats from a trailer.

"I never experienced anything like it. Feces, dead cats, maggots, and litter all over," Simmons said.

"I couldn't believe how horrible it was. I can't imagine how a human could live there let alone that poor animal. They needed cages, I said I had three. When I got there I said I'll see if I can help in any way," Libby Phillips said.

Phillips took in six of the abandoned animals.

Simmons said she called her foster friends and put the rest of the cats in temporary homes.

"Dr. Petrick on University has cats at his clinic there and on Hurtel Street. Rehm in Tillman's Corner were nice enough to house 12 cats for us as well," Simmons added.

Simmons said her organization is dedicated to saving stray and feral cats with a method known as Trap Neuter Return.

"That's our biggest concern. We want the cats spayed, neutered and vaccinated so they can be adopted to really good homes," she added.

That's the plan for the felines. With the new additions, Phillips is now caring for nearly 20 cats, including her own. At the limit of what she can handle, Phillips is hoping there are many more kind hearts willing to help.

"I'm hoping and praying we can find homes for them," she said.

Officials said the cats are in good condition. If you would like to adopt one, contact the Azalea City Cat Coalition at 251-648-7582

The homeless situation in Mobile has grown well beyond people. Many say stray cats and other animals have become a crisis in the area.

"I was always seeing stray and feral cats in bad shape. I knew there had to be a solution to this problem," said Susan Young with the Azalea City Cat Coalition.

Young said the growing problem comes from cats not being spayed or neutered. So she founded an organization designed to promote population control by a process called TNR, Trap Neuter Return.

"If people are feeding a group of cats they can't pick up or catch, our volunteers come out trap them for small copay. We take them to the vet have them spayed and neutered and ear chipped," she added.

Young said the TNR process isn't harmful and will help the animals in many ways.

"Once a cat is spayed and neutered the mating habits associated with yowling, spraying and fighting they dissipate and the cat's health is more optimal," she said.

Young said cats go into heat about four to five times a year and they can have as many as six kittens in a litter. The TNR program benefits more than just the animal.

"It certainly would save the city and county tax dollars and animal control nuisance calls, less euthanizations and the shelters wouldn't be as full," Young said.

To find out more about low cost spaying and neutering click here .