Norman Animal Welfare Recovers Dozens Of Cats And Dogs From A Home

Norman police received an anonymous tip that a homeowner on the west side of town may be hoarding animals.

When police arrived, they found more than three dozen cats and dogs, and a homeowner willing to give them up.

Now, an already packed Norman animal shelter is well over capacity. A mixture of small dogs to large and several cats will soon be looking for a new home.

Many would ask how anyone could live with 39 animals inside one home. Police say that's what a woman did, and a tip led them and Norman Animal Welfare to a west Norman neighborhood.

“Don’t get to know our neighbors like we used to, you know, maybe like 20, 30 years ago, and people are quiet,” said neighbor, Sean King. “And you may say hi to somebody, but you don’t know what goes on behind closed doors as it were, and it doesn’t surprise me,” said King.

Sean King lives in the Cambridge addition where the dogs and cats were found.  

Many of them in bad health, over grown hair, some so matted and mangled you can barely see their faces.

“You get behind the door and you find out the façade out front is not what you see outside,” said King.

Neighbors in this addition didn't have a clue someone nearby was hoarding dozens of animals inside their home.

There were 18 dogs and 21 cats.

“The resident has cooperated. Everything is going smoothly. One of the big problems we’re facing though is that we’ve had 39 animals as of today unexpectedly come into the shelter,” said Capt. Tom Easley, Norman PD.

And the hope is to get them in good health and ready for adoption as soon as possible.

“I would think two would be a lot to handle. They’re like children, and I’m sure she considered them members of the family,” said King.

The pet owner is not facing any criminal complaints at this time, but police say that could change. 

If you are interested in adopting one of the animals when they're ready for adoption, click here.