An effort to rescue more than 100 cats from a southeast Albuquerque, New Mexico, property became an emergency for nearby residents when a garage caught fire while police and animal control officers were at the scene.
Here's what to know
A bus linked to a man arrested on Oct. 27 brought Albuquerque police back to the area around Ross Avenue SE and Cornell Drive SE on Oct. 28, according to KOAT.
Officers found a dead cat among the many cats inside the bus after noticing a strong odor. The discovery led them to approach the home on the property where the bus was parked.
Animal control was called after officers saw cats going into a garage. Police said someone at the residence identified the arrested man's girlfriend as the owner of both the cats and the bus.
More background
A suspicious vehicle reported near the intersection prompted the initial police response on Oct. 27, Albuquerque police said.
The arrested man, Christopher Hart, had his vehicle towed after his arrest. Police took him into custody and found that he had four outstanding warrants, according to KOAT.
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Police said the fire preceded any entry into the backyard by officers from either agency. It broke out in the garage on Oct. 28, while animal control personnel were capturing cats at the property.
No people or animals were reported injured in the blaze, but the garage and a vehicle were destroyed.
What's being done?
The animal rescue was already underway when Albuquerque Fire Rescue was called to fight the blaze. As flames appeared, Albuquerque police evacuated residents from nearby homes.
Albuquerque police said they ultimately rescued more than 100 cats from the property, including four kittens that required bottle feeds.
Medical attention and treatment are being provided at the Animal Welfare Westside Shelter, where the rescued cats are staying, KOAT reported.
Where can I learn more?
These stories cover more examples of large-scale cat rescues, a cat revived after a garage fire, and animals removed from a cramped property.
• New York rescuers pulled over 100 cats from three squalid homes, including kittens and pregnant cats.
• In Southern Oregon, 50 cats rescued from a hazardous home are now up for adoption.
• Missouri rescuers saved 62 cats from two hoarding homes, including cats under a truck hood.
• Phoenix firefighters used a 'Fido Mask' to revive a cat pulled from a garage fire.
• In Brooklyn, the NYPD called the ASPCA, which removed 26 animals from a filthy, cramped property.
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