Image: Toronto Cat RescueWork has begun on finding new homes for all of them.
More than 300 cats have been rescued after they were found living in a single apartment in Toronto, Canada.
Incredible pictures from inside the flat show dozens of animals sitting on every available space, from the windowsills to the stairs, toilet and kitchen counter.
‘It’s a terrible way for cats to live,’ rescuers said after posting the images on Facebook. ‘Unsterilised cats breed prolifically, and with only a nine week gestation things get out of control VERY quickly.’
Image: Toronto Cat RescueToronto Cat Rescue described what they found in the flat as a ‘perilous hoarding situation’.
The alarm has been raised by nearby residents due to the alarming smell coming from the apartment.
Jeanette Lawrence told CTV News: ‘It’s so strong. It’s unbearable. You come into the hallway and you can’t breathe.’
The cats were rescued from the Toronto flat on May 4, and the work of finding new homes for all of them has now started.
They will all be vaccinated and spayed or neutered to prevent any repeat of the out-of-control breeding.
Amazingly, most of the cats were in good health, with just one needing dental work.
Rescuers said: ‘The cats and kittens are doing well in their foster homes. We are so grateful to our volunteers and staff who stepped up to the plate to get cats of the apartment right away.’
‘This is the second large cat hoarding situation we have been involved with in a month! It’s very important that this NOT continue.’
