Humane agents with Animal Charity are currently on scene at a Washingtonville home working to remove cats from a dangerous hoarding situation. Although Animal Charity usually responds to one to two hoarding cases in Mahoning County each week, this case is one of the worst the organization has seen in years because of the condition of the home. 

Animal Charity Coordinator Jane MacMurchy tells 21 News agents are back on scene Tuesday morning to continue their efforts to remove the cats from the home. 

According to a post on Animal Charity's Facebook page, as of Monday, humane agents have removed 10 cats from the home on West Main Street so far with two of them being pronounced deceased.

We were told this afternoon the number has since increased to 10 living cats and 11 deceased. MacMurchy says these numbers are likely to go up. 

"We still have no idea how many cats we're going to end up with. The number that she told us that she thought she owned, we were already counting and seeing more than that," said MacMurchy

Because of the mess, the removal process will be slow and agents could be dealing with several dozen cats and won't have a count for several days. MacMurchy tells us there are still litters of cats being found under items in the home.

Crews looking for the cats need to wear masks when entering the home and look out for any falling items. The home is also deemed a fire hazard by the Green Township Fire Chief, and all utilities needed to be turned off before anyone could go through the home. 

The owner didn't want to leave her home. Even so, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio is working with Animal Charity to make sure the owner gets medical housing. After all the animals are removed from the home, the owner could be charged. 

MacMurchy tells 21 News agents can barely find the ground in this home and are working on making paths just to make their way around the home. After clearing paths, the crew plans to set up traps to catch the rest of the cats. 

Animal Charity responded to a call about the house on Friday, and sent the crew to the home Monday afternoon. There's no way of telling when the house will be cleared, but MacMurchy is hoping to have the cats out of the home by the end of this week. 

Animal Charity is asking for donations. the organization is in need of blankets, new or used, cat food, and litter.