40 cats rescued from studio apartment in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Forty cats were rescued by authorities after they were discovered in a studio apartment in San Diego.
The San Diego Humane Society is looking for homes for the cats that haven't been adopted yet, and is asking for the public's help as the shelter has been overcrowded for over three years.
The cats were discovered when a community member reported multiple cats and a strong odor coming from an apartment unit in the 1400 block of Imperial Avenue on Aug. 6.
According to the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS), the cats' elderly owner had been hospitalized and was no longer able to care for them.
Forty cats were rescued by authorities after they were discovered in a studio apartment in San Diego. (San Diego Humane Society) 
Forty cats were rescued by authorities after they were discovered in a studio apartment in San Diego. (San Diego Humane Society) 
Forty cats were rescued by authorities after they were discovered in a studio apartment in San Diego. (San Diego Humane Society) 
Forty cats were rescued by authorities after they were discovered in a studio apartment in San Diego. (San Diego Humane Society) 
Forty cats were rescued by authorities after they were discovered in a studio apartment in San Diego. (San Diego Humane Society)
The organization's law enforcement team worked with building management and the tenant's family to enter the apartment before the cats were safely surrendered to authorities.
SDHS said the cats were rescued over the course of several weeks.
Fifteen cats were rescued on Sept. 17, followed by 11 cats on Sept. 24, and the remaining 14 cats on Oct. 1.
Several of the cats are being treated for upper respiratory infections, SDHS said. As of Monday, 16 cats have been adopted and 8 are still in need of new homes.
The humane society reminds people who may feel overwhelmed caring for their pets to reach out for help.
Dan Plante contributed to this report
