News photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Friday, a cat that was surrendered from a hoarding situation on Wednesday is seen in a cage at the Second Chance Animal Shelter in Alpena. Leanne Bloom, Second Chance operations director and treasure, said that the shelter received five of the cats surrendered.

ALPENA — It took the teamwork of all three local animal shelters in Alpena to help rescue nearly two dozen cats from a home in Alpena County.

The county’s animal control team, Huron Humane Society, and the Second Chance Animal Shelter came together to work side-by-side to rescue the cats that the owner surrendered to Animal Control.

To help cover the cost of the animals, donations are being accepted by all three of the local animal shelters.

The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office responded to a cat hoarding situation in Maple Ridge Township on Wednesday, according to a release Thursday.

Alpena County Sheriff Erik Smith said that collaborating with other local shelters was critical in giving the best care to the animals.

The release stated that the resident was being hospitalized for the foreseeable future and has no family in the area. Cats were abandoned inside the resident’s home and garage without food, water, or heat.

Undersheriff Cash Kroll said that the Sheriff’s Office removed 20 cats from the residence with one deceased for unknown reasons. He added that the Sheriff’s Office had previously responded to the residence in 2024 for a similar reason, though the resident was uncooperative at the time and refused to surrender their pets.

Smith explained that the owner surrendered the cats to the care of the office this time because it were concerned for the welfare of the cats.

“He was worried … someone has to take care of them,” Smith added.

He said that there will be no charges brought against the individual since they were trying to care for the animals to the best of their ability.

Smith stated that the Alpena County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control does not have the capacity to house 20 cats at once. The Sheriff’s Office reached out to the Huron Human Society (HHS) and Second Chance Animal Shelter for assistance.

According to the release, Second Chance staff assisted the Sheriff’s Office in removing the abandoned cats safely.

Smith said that this event is representative of his office’s goal to collaborate with local shelters more in the future and to act as “one unified group to help animals.”

Cindy Johnson, HHS president, said that HHS was notified by the Sheriff’s Office of the hoarding situation and was asked if HHS facility could assist in taking in some of the cats that were surrendered.

“After receiving additional details on Wednesday evening, we met with Animal Control the following day and took in five cats,” Johnson said. “Three of the five are pregnant females. All of them are underweight, flea-infested, and suffering from ear mites.”

Johnson added that given the cats’ conditions, HHS is “especially concerned about the unborn kittens’ health.”

“These cats will require veterinary care to help them begin recovering and moving in a positive direction,” Johnson said. “We have already begun our intake procedure, including deworming, flea treatment, coccidia treatment, and vaccinations.”

She explained that hoarding situations can “quickly spiral out of control, even when someone has the best of intentions.”

“If you see someone struggling to properly care for animals due to financial hardships, illness, or other circumstances, please speak up,” she added. “When intervention doesn’t happen, animals suffer, and many may not survive.”

Second Chance operations director and treasure, said that Second Chance received five cats from the hoarding situation and five more are receiving veterinarian care.

She said that shelter staff are pleased that the cats are using litterboxes though they are underfed, dehydrated, and a few are suffering from eye issues.

Bloom added that the collaboration between all three shelters was important in providing the necessary care to the shelter guests.

“It’s critical because no one shelter can take all of these cats,” she said.

Bloom added that the collaboration in caring for the cats rescued from the hoarding situation represents a “start of a new path for all of us.”

Bloom reiterated Johnson’s statement that cat hoarding situations can happen quickly as a female can get pregnant at as young as four-months-old. She added that females can sometimes have up to three litters in a year and can get pregnant while nursing.

She explained that is why Second Chance’s mission is to spay and neuter shelter guests to “minimize the number of unwanted animals.”

DONATIONS

Smith said that all three of the local shelters can use monetary donations and supplies.

Animal Control often asks the community for cat and dog food and other supplies. The facility also hosts a bottle drive to raise funds to care for shelter guests.

Johnson said that HHS would appreciate monetary donations to help the animals rescued. Those interested can donate at huronhumanesocietyinc.org. Individuals can also send a check or drop off a donation and visit the cats to keep updated on their progress.

She added that HHS can also always use wet cat food, laundry soap, dish soap, and bleach. The shelter is also continuing its year-round bottle drive to help care for animals.

Bloom said that the Second Chance re-sell shop is open on Saturdays and proceeds from items sold go to caring for shelter guests. The shelter also runs a bottle drive to raise funds and are always in need of cat litter, wet cat food, and other supplies.

She added that monetary donations offer the shelter the most flexibility in caring for shelter guests though they also have veterinarian accounts that people can donate to.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.