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Dozens Of Cats Removed From Home; Woman Seeks Help For Hoarding

Dozens of cats were rescued from a Plattsmouth home on Monday, but the woman living there will not be cited. Instead, she will receive help in changing her behavior.

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Reporter: John Chapman

Dozens Of Cats Removed From Home

Dozens of cats were rescued from a Plattsmouth home on Monday, but the woman living there will not be cited. Instead, she will receive help in changing her behavior.

Plattsmouth animal control officers had a search warrant and 33 cats were removed in all from the home.

Horrible living conditions were found inside. The older woman living at the home had been hoarding cats. Officials have been working on the case for two years.

"This particular lady has had a lot of tragedy in her life, a lot of loss, and I think it has effected her into the realm of that she feels like she's saving these cats. The hoarding tendencies and the thought process is that nobody else can save these cats, nobody else can help them. So, it's up to her to save these cats," explained Plattsmouth Animal Control Officer, Sue Baker.

Animal control officers did not arrest the woman. Instead, they called Heartland Family Services. There, people like Darin Nelson can help with the service's Assessment, Support and Prevention program. It's a four year old program designed to help a person through a mental health crisis.

"There's a lot of people that law enforcement go out and see that do not need to be hospitalized or do not need to be put in jail. They're just in a mental health crisis and they need support and referrals and connections to the community services that they may or may not know are even there."

The home has been condemned. Authorities say the woman will be living with friends while she gets some counseling.

Anyone wishing to adopt one of the cats or help out with donations of food or kitty litter can call the animal shelter in Plattsmouth at 402-298-8235.