Felines rescued from an animal hoarder need safe, loving homes

The Mission Viejo Animal Services Center recently learned about an animal hoarding case in Diamond Bar where the Inland Valley Humane Society rescued more than 100 animals from an elderly woman's home.  

Animal hoarding happens when someone has more animals than they can properly house. It's a complex mental health issue in which the person keeping the animals believes he or she is helping them in a way that no one else can. Unfortunately, in most cases, the home is in disarray and the animals are in poor health.

That was the case in Diamond Bar. The woman was living with more cats and dogs than she could care for in a home that was unhealthy. Fortunately, she is obtaining the help she needs, and the animals are safely out of that environment. Taking in more than 100 animals simultaneously is tough for any agency to accommodate, so Inland Valley contacted its partners - including the Mission Viejo Animal Services Center - for help. Mission Viejo staff sprang into action and transferred eight cats and kittens to the shelter. Only a month old, one kitten is in foster care, while three other kittens will be adopted soon. As might be expected, the adult cats are terrified, but staff is working to help them become friendly and well-adjusted cats.

For more information about adopting these feline friends, visit cmvas.org or call 949-470-3045.