BOISE — An update to the case of more than 70 cats that were removed from a hoarding situation back in July.
The cats were found living in a Boise hotel room and a trailer outside the hotel.
The hoarding case is still pending in court, but the judge has granted custody of the cats and kittens to the Idaho Humane Society due to a bond forfeiture.
Many of the cats are polydactyl, which means they have extra toes. And, inbreeding among the cats has led to some severe deformities.
“When you are breeding for polydactyls, which is a recessive gene, it’s actually a deformity, you end up getting cases where like this little guy can't walk on his paws. He's actually walking sideways,“ said Kristine Schellhaas with the Idaho Humane Society.
The humane society has spent nearly $30,000 on the cats since they were seized.
While the defendant is responsible to repay the Idaho Humane Society, historically the shelter has never received restitution.
Some of the cats are available for adoption now. Others will be soon.