Cats and kittens take toll on woman

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Lucia Aguilera's reputation as a cat lover apparently was no secret in her Los Angeles neighborhood.

The 78-year-old woman says her neighbors began dumping cats outside her small apartment, and her feline population eventually boomed to 30 when feral cats began breeding with the pets already on her property.

Aguilera finally accepted help today when humane officers rounded up the cats and kittens.

Madeline Bernstein with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Los Angeles says all the cats were fed and watered, but Aguilera didn't have much money and could barely afford food, much less vet bills.

Bernstein says the animals will be put up for adoption, but Aguilera will get two of them back after they are spayed.