A remodel in Wyoming has been complicated by a vacant house that feral cats had turned into their own domain.
The animals left behind enough damage and waste that workers have had to wear respirators on the job.
According to realestate.com.au, a contractor said the level of contamination exceeded that of a previous cleanup, during which his team found more than 1,000 used syringes.
Here's what to know
Before the renovation began, the house had been overrun by cats for well over a year.
The odor has persisted despite work that began in May, including tearing out flooring, installing new drywall, applying enzyme treatments, and coating surfaces with odor-blocking primer.
Inside, there were seven litter boxes, urine-soaked carpet, claw-damaged cabinets, and grime-covered windows.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"Moldy cat food was stuffed all the way down the drain," said Dustin Crapo, owner of Casper-based CbG Construction LLC. "It almost made me puke both times. I had to pull that out."
More background
Stray cats have been an issue in Casper for years, and Crapo believes the conditions at this home may have worsened the problem in the area.
Even after months of demolition and cleanup, Crapo said the property still had what he called an "ungodly stench."
Australia has seen a comparable situation as well. Investor Charles Corby said a distressed-sale home he purchased near Geelong also came with abandoned cats and a strong odor.
"There were at least three cats, maybe four, still roaming the home and yard after the sale went unconditional and we took possession," he said.
Corby added, "The house had a very strong smell of cat urine; it made some of my trades vomit in the driveway."
What's being done?
To curb the stray-cat population without euthanizing the animals, authorities in Wyoming have relied on a Trap-Neuter-Return program.
When Crapo sought help from animal services, he said they told him he would need to catch the cats himself or bring them to the shelter.
Where can I learn more?
The cleanup in Casper shows how quickly an unmanaged animal problem can make a home unsafe for nearby residents and workers. Other communities have dealt with their own versions of that, from macaques damaging property near a Gujarat sanctuary to a big-cat scare in suburban Missouri.
• Near Gujarat's wildlife sanctuary, any delay will only worsen property damage from rhesus macaques.
• In suburban Missouri, an unusual experience with feline visitors has left homeowners on edge.
Each case is a reminder that animal intrusions can quickly become a nuisance and then create real safety concerns. It also shows why dealing with the problem early can help prevent the kind of cleanup underway in Wyoming.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
