Milwaukee authorities are accelerating their efforts to remove more than three dozen cats from a severely neglected house on the city’s northwest side. The Milwaukee Domestic Animal Control Commission (MADACC) is leading the operation, which has revealed the disturbing conditions these animals have been living in.
Photos obtained by WISN 12 News from the Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services provide a glimpse into the dire situation. The house, located near 95th Street and Fond du Lac Avenue, has been abandoned by its owners for several years, leaving the cats to fend for themselves in a space overwhelmed by the stench of accumulated waste.
Karen Sparapani, Executive Director of MADACC, described the scene as one of the worst cases of cat hoarding she has ever encountered. “The impact is felt by the entire neighborhood when something like this occurs,” Sparapani stated. She emphasized that the agency, which is responsible for animal control across Milwaukee County, intervened after WISN 12 News initially reported on the issue three weeks ago. Local residents had voiced their frustration over the unbearable smell and infestation of flies emanating from the property.
Despite moving out, the homeowners continued to visit the house to feed the cats, which now number over forty. Sparapani noted that many of these cats may never be suitable for adoption. “Cats born in such an environment often remain feral, lacking the socialization that comes from regular human interaction,” she explained.
Sparapani urged the public to be vigilant about potential cases of animal hoarding, stressing that those involved are often well-intentioned but overwhelmed. “It’s crucial to keep an eye on family members. They’re not bad people; they’re just consumed by the need to save these animals, fearing they can’t be adopted. Unfortunately, this only exacerbates the problem,” she said.
MADACC plans to continue removing the cats this week, utilizing nets inside the house due to the animals’ refusal to enter the traps typically used. The agency’s methods have been adapted to the challenging circumstances, as the owner’s continued visits to feed the cats have made traditional trapping ineffective.
WISN 12 News has made multiple attempts to contact the homeowner, but they have yet to respond. No citations have been issued at this time.
The situation serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding animal hoarding and the importance of timely intervention.
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