JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s Animal Care and Protective Services and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to a Southside home Friday after receiving a tip about a large number of cats on the property.
The home is located on Peach Drive. ACPS Chief Michael Bricker originally said the house could have between 40 and 80 cats, and some may not be alive.
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He added the number could change as the investigation continues.
On Tuesday, Bricker said 40 cats were recovered alive and 9 others were deceased.
He said it was a mix of pets, and community cats, but it’s still unclear how the person living at the property obtained them. Bricker said some were ear tipped and some were microchipped. He added one woman did locate her cat and was able to get it back.
Chief Bricker also said this was not the first time ACPS has been called there to the home. Someone called them before and said they got in over their head. ACPS was able to get most of them adopted out and fixed up.
This time however, Bricker said this person did not surrender the pets to ACPS, so they have to get a petition for custody, which takes time, In the meantime the remaining cats are being cared for, and Bricker expects them to be up for adoption within the next week or so. He said some had health issues such as scabies and ringworm.
The investigation is ongoing.