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OGDEN — The Weber County Animal Shelter has a large surplus of stray cats, due in part to an animal hoarding case earlier this week, and the shelter is growing desperate for adoptions.
The shelter has over 200 cats currently, partially a result of over 70 being rescued from a single home of an animal hoarder over the past week. The Utah Animal Advocacy Foundation is one volunteer organization working with the shelter to ease the sudden burden.
"We wanted to help as much as we can with our small little group," said Maryjo Korb, head of the UAAF.
It took officials days to search the house in question and locate all the animals inside. The owner, reportedly a recluse with undisclosed mental issues, had cats ranging from a week old up to ages 5 or 6. The sudden influx following the house's discovery has left shelter workers struggling to keep up.
"We were as high as almost 200 as of Tuesday and Wednesday," said shelter director Chad Ferrin.
Solutions like doubling and tripling up kennels have been considered, but Ferrin said risk of disease is heightened, because an unknown ailment could potentially infect other cats in that kennel.
This has been a very busy cat season even before the discovery of the crowded home, Ferrin also noted. Three or four cats are being brought in each day, and while some adoptions are taking place, it hasn't been enough.
"We still have an awful lot of cats," Ferrin said. "We need to have a whole lot more adoptions."
Contributing: Ben Dowsett
