Animal hoard discovered in Cathedral City

A home in Cathedral City may need to be condemned after the homeowner was found dead leaving 78 cats and several other animals to fend for themselves.

Authorities believe the owner passed away sometime over the weekend leaving the animals in deplorable conditions.

Authorities on Wednesday were considering whether or not to demolish the home.

Animal control officers rescued a total of 78 cats, a dog, a duck, and a hen.

Officials say there wasn’t enough room to bring all of them to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, so they were taken to the Western Riverside County Shelter in Riverside.

The animals are now up for adoption although officials say some may require treatment for respiratory problems.