According to an Alpena County Sheriff’s Office press release on Thursday, the office responded to a cat hoarding situation in Maple Ridge Township on Wednesday.

A resident was being hospitalized for the foreseeable future and had no family in the area. The release stated that 20-plus cats were abandoned inside the resident’s home and garage without food, water, or heat. The Sheriff’s Office previously responded to this residence in 2024 though no enforcement action was taken at that time.

On Wednesday, the cats were surrendered by the owner and a deputy from the Sheriff’s Office removed the cats from the residence, according to the release. Alpena County Animal Control Shelter and Second Chance Animal Shelter staff assisted in the removal of cats from the residence. The cats were admitted to the Alpena County Animal Control Shelter, Second Chance Animal Shelter, and the Huron Humane Society.

The Sheriff’s Office extended appreciation to both the Second Chance Animal Shelter and Huron Humane Society for their assistance in this situation.