170 cats abandoned in house in eastern Japan after owner falls ill

Some 170 cats were found in filthy conditions in a house in Takasaki, eastern Japan, this summer after being left uncared for following the hospitalization of the elderly owner, according to a local animal welfare organization.Many of the cats were emaciated, they said, adding the windows of the house were closed and that the smell of ammonia from excrement was overpowering when members entered the house in early September.The organization, Gunma Wan Nyan Network, was alerted by a relative of the man on Sept. 7 to the plight of the cats, who had to survive without any water despite the hot …READ FULL ARTICLE