More than 100 cats still left in Chickamauga home after raid

photo On Thursday afternoon, Walker County Animal Control supervisor Curtis Patterson, right, helps load a select few of the of 157 cats found Wednesday at a Chickamauga residence. The owner presently is cooperating with the county and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, according to Patterson.

Only 70 of the 160+ cats have been removed from a home in Chickamauga, after an operation by county animal control to remove the cats began last Thursday.

Curtis Patterson, animal control supervisor for Walker County, said the Walker County Animal Shelter took all 70 cats that they were able to remove.

Alison Smith, the Walker County Animal Shelter manager, said although the shelter took in the 70 cats, they had to euthanize about 30 of them because of sickness and lack of socialization.

"These cats were in imminent danger in the room they were in," Smith said. "They'd never been outside with wind in their whiskers. They're very feral, and they're horrifically sick."

She said the state inspector recommended they euthanize all of them, but they are waiting and observing the cats for a while before making that decision. White also said this emphasizes the importance of spaying, neutering and vaccinating all pets. Vaccinating pets against rabies is state and county law.

"(The owners) allow themselves to be at great risk, and it makes no sense to me," she said. "It compromises our community and it compromises our ability to care for God's creatures."

Patterson said animal control may go in early next week to remove the rest of the cats if they can find a place to take them.

White said if need be, the county shelter will take in more of the cats.

"We will always find a way to make room," she said.

Stay with the Times Free Press for updates to this story.

Contact staff writer Hannah Smith at hsmith@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6731.

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