44 cats removed from Austintown home

AUSTINTOWN — Although animal shelters are available to help avoid pet hoarding, it happens far too often, says Nicole Owen, chief executive of Animal Charity on South Avenue in Youngstown.

Police and health department personnel were on hand Wednesday as Animal Charity officers removed at least 44 cats from a home on the 4400 block of Aspen Drive.

Owen said the organization got involved when several neighbors called to complain of a foul odor coming from the home.

Owen said it’s not uncommon for Animal Charity to respond in such cases. Owen said she could think of at least four similar instances in the past 12 months.

“These people think they’re doing good, and they start with just two or three cats,” she said. “The problem is, cats multiply quickly, so if you don’t spay or neuter them, two or three cats can easily turn into 20 cats within six months.”

Read more in Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com