Hundreds Of Cats Found In Lake Forest Hoarding House

LAKE FOREST, CA — Ice is one of over 100 cats discovered in a Lake Forest home in early June. He was suffering a severe infection, left to his own devices in a residence filled with felines thanks to an animal hoarder, according to according to mayor Jim Gardner, in his "Mayor's Minute."

Some of the felines had died inside the home, upon inspection and removal, according to the mayor. Thanks to the assistance of a local animal rescue, they are all finding new homes. According to Gardner, the neighbors in the area of Lake Forest 2, were aware of the problem "for a long time."

Though it not immediately clear as to what took so long to get the cats removed, DREAM animal rescue founder Jonnie Ben, also of Lake Forest, says that now 120 or so cats and kittens will need fosters or families. The owner of the home "is being prosecuted," Ben told Patch.

The odor from the hoarding situation "was significant," and most of the cats were unsocialized, living both indoor and outdoors, Ben told Patch. Many new kittens that were found needed to be bottle fed, she said. Others didn't survive, she said.

The first day, over 60 cats were removed home, and they thought the house was empty of cats, but what they found next surprised workers who were conducting the removal of the felines.

"Cats were found in the walls, ceiling and even the attic," Ben said. Some of the cats were taken from the Orange County Animal Care Center. Now, weeks later, cats are still being collected. These are primarily completely unsocialized cats that Ben hopes will have a future as "barn" cats for area farms in south Orange County. Of the adoptable ones, many are Siamese, others are Bengal-type cats with beautiful markings. All of them are shy and slow to warm up, but long term are loving and sweet, Ben said.

Of the cats that were found, some were euthanized and many are stepping forward to take the un-socialized cats for "barn cat" placement.

"In that situation, we crate the cats, feed and water them, change their litter box, imprint them on the area, and then release them," Ben said. "They are not feral, just not socialized. Hopefully they were stay in the area where the food is, and know they are safe."

Still more than 70 cats and kittens are hanging out with fosters, however purrmanent homes are still needed. Ice is remaining with Ben for now, as he was discovered to have a severe bladder infection.

"Many of the cats are social, some have medical needs, such as Ice, but most are healthy," she said regarding the best candidates for adoptive families. "The new owners will need to be patient with the animals, they are loving just not super outgoing cats."

Dr. Gardner is also fostering two cats from DREAM. "It's huge when you have the support of local government," Ben said. "It's amazing to have their help to get the word out for finding foster and forever homes for the cats."

According to Ben, it is a fine line between running a rescue and being seen as a hoarder of animals. She is grateful to her fosters who regularly step up to take in cats who need help.

The balance between hoarding and animal rescue is a "fine line that we walk," she told Patch. "It's hard to say no to animals in need. Although intentions are good, often people will lose sight of the end goal, to get them adopted."

On Saturday, July 28, over 20 animals there, including kittens from the hoarding house that are ready to go home, Ben said. If you're looking to be a kitty foster family, head to PAWS for Yappy Hour this Saturday in Lake Forest, at the Iron Ridge, located at: 28310 Glenn Ranch Road Lake Forest, Calif. between 2 to 5 p.m.

For further information visit: www.dreamanimalrescue.org

Photos, courtesy DREAM Animal Rescue