Champaign Co. Animal Control rescues 31 animals from 'hoarding situation'

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) — On November 22, Champaign County Animal Control located and removed 30 cats from a home in Champaign County. The owner has been charged with animal cruelty and has a tentative court appearance in January 2025.

Chelsea Angelo, Interim Director of Champaign County Animal Control Department and Animal Services Facility, told WAND that CCAC was contacted by Champaign Police while they were conducting a separate investigation.

"They walked in and found this, and when they did, they contacted us immediately. They realized what they were seeing was not okay. So, our officers responded. And then I ultimately went out there to put eyes on it as well. And it was evident that these animals needed to be immediately removed," said Angelo.

She further explained that they originally thought there were approximately 14 animals; after further investigation, they found a total of 30 intact cats and 1 Budgie parakeet.

The cats were aged between 1 and 4 years old, including two pregnant felines.

"We're going to describe it as a hoarding situation — that's what it is. The animals are not being cared for in a clean and sanitary manner. There are too many animals for that living space. And it is apparent that the caretaker does not understand the detriment to themselves or the animals." said Angelo.

The initial assessment by the CCAC at the scene indicated that the animals needed to be removed immediately.

"We had animals in various different conditions and, stages of, of illness and were in filthy living conditions with very high levels of ammonia and that no living things should be in that residence."

Angelo explained that the home was covered in excrement. "I could not walk into the residence without walking into a couple of inches of feces. There were animals in cages. There were animals free roaming. The only way I can describe it to you is... the whole house was a litter box."

The owner surrendered 23 of the 30 cats as well as the parakeet, which has been relocated to a rescue.

Angelo said all the animals were removed from the home with the assistance of Champaign Humane Society's humane investigator.

"When we got them back to our facility, we started processing, and giving them basic physicals, evaluations, flea treatment, parasite treatment, assessing their injuries, giving them treatment for any scratches and abrasions which the majority of them had just from, from their fleas."

The Human Society has taken 14 cats surrendered to CCAC for continued medical care. The CCAC will hold the 7 cats that the owner did not surrender for the duration of court proceedings.

Angelo said at this juncture, she does not believe that the animals were in a physically abusive situation in which they were being intentionally harmed.

"The reality of these kind of cases is most of the time they're not done out of malice. Most of the time these cases start because people are trying to help the animal and help 1 or 2, and then they end up with 25 and they get overwhelmed and don't know what to do." Angelo explained. "The sad part of these cases that, you know, a lot of times it's unintentional, cruelty, but cruelty, nonetheless. So, you know, we have to have to get them out of there because it's not healthy for animal or human in that situation."

Once the cats are healthy enough, they will get spayed, neutered and eventually placed in rescue facilities or adopted.

Champaign County Animal Shelter is currently accepting GoFundMe donations to help pay for medical expenses for the recused cats.

The shelter is always in need of towels and blankets, and donations can be dropped off at 210 S Art Bartell Rd, Urbana, IL. People interested can check their Facebook page for more information about donations and adoptions.