28 cats found in squalid Bradenton home with dead owner, more felines may be hiding in walls

Manatee County Animal Welfare officers responded this week to a filthy Bradenton home where the owner passed away in a houseful of cats.

The Southern Manatee Fire & Rescue Hazmat team found that the air quality was almost seven times beyond a safe limit. When searching the house, officers were required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment, including respirators.

Over the course of several days, the shelter was able to rescue 28 cats from the unsanitary conditions. The shelter plans on revisiting the home because they believe about 20 more cats are hiding in the ceiling and walls. The cats, from newborn to 10 years old, are now at the Bishop Animal Shelter for medical care and to prepare them for adoption.

“Animal hoarding cases are a sad situation for all involved,” the shelter’s Facebook post read. “Hoarding can create unhealthy and unsafe living conditions, like in this home where the cats were found.”

The Facebook post didn’t provide the owner’s name or any other information about the person or the circumstances or date of their death.

If you suspect animal hoarding, cruelty or neglect, please contact a Manatee County Animal Welfare officer at 941-742-5933 ext.1, and we can perform a pet welfare check.

Because of a surplus of pets at the shelter, Manatee County Animal Welfare is waiving adoption fees for cats and kittens through July 31.

Manatee County Animal Welfare are in urgent need for fosters. Foster sign up here.