Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach is trying to save more than 89 cats rescued from a home in Port Orange.
- More than 89 animals removed from Port Orange home
- 35 dead cats were also found inside
- The animals are under quarantine at Halifax Humane Society
Right now, all the animals are under quarantine at the Halifax Humane Society facility.
Anyone that goes inside that room must wear a surgical mask because the cats are being tested for highly contagious diseases.
Port Orange Animal Control officers found the cats living in deplorable conditions last week.
They also found a plastic bag with 35 dead cats inside.
“They’re almost like a house of horrors. It’s hard for a human to see how these poor animals are living in those conditions.” said Miguel Abi-Hassan, CEO of the Halifax Humane Society.
Abi-Hassan says the cats are so malnourished, they were eating their own feces to survive. As a result, the majority of them don’t even have adult teeth.
The tenant, 49-year-old Stacey Daraio, was Baker-Acted. The home was deemed unlivable.
Officials are trying to understand what motivated Daraio to keep so many live and dead animals.
The bill to treat the cats for ring worm and parasites has already reached $12,000.
Abi-Hassan says the Human Society hopes the majority of the cats will be adopted, but admits, some have been traumatized after living in such horrible conditions.
Officials with the Human Society will go before a judge Tuesday to officially gain custody of all the animals.