PSPCA discovers 33 cats inside Frankford rowhome

ThePSPCA removed 33 living cats from two apartments in a Frankford rowhome Thursday after finding many of the animals living in deplorable conditions.

Seventeen live cats were removed from one”filthy, feces-covered, urine-soaked” apartment inside the rowhome on the 4400 block of Griscom Street after PSPCA Humane Law Enforcement officers executed a search warrant. Investigators were tipped off to the situation at the home through a call to their animal cruelty tipline, the PSPCAsaid.Two dead cats were also discovered.

Upstairs in a separate apartment onthe third floor of the same rowhome, the PSPCA discovered 16 cats — including eight adults, three kittens and five newborns. The owner “willingly signed over”those cats, the PSPCA said.

Philadelphia city ordinances permit the possession of no more than 12 domestic animals in one home.

All 33 cats were brought to the PSPCA’s Erie Avenue headquarters for examination and care by veterinarians until they can be adopted out to new families.

“The Pennsylvania SPCA is the only animal welfare organization in Pennsylvania equipped to handle cases involving such a large number of animals,” PSPCA CEO Jerry Buckley said in a statement. “Our Humane Law Enforcement Officers work diligently to remove animals from situations of cruelty and neglect like this on a daily basis.”

Toreport animal cruelty, contact the PSPCA at(866) 601-SPCA.