4 Dead Cats Found in Freezer and 17 Live Animals Recovered After Complaint About Home's 'Unsanitary' Conditions By Sean Neumann

Two women in western New York were charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty earlier this month after police discovered four dead cats in the freezer of what local officials described as a cluttered and “uninhabitable” home filled with more than a dozen emaciated animals.

The Ontario County Humane Society announced they and the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office had rescued 17 animals from the property in Canandaigua, N.Y. on Dec. 2, including 14 dogs and three cats who were all taken to a local veterinarian for urgent medical care.

The local shelter said Sheila LaFleur, 63, and Robin Burr, 61, were arrested and each charged with a misdemeanor for animal cruelty. The two women, who both live at the address in Canandaigua where the animals were rescued from, were later released on bond, local officials said.

The Sheriff’s Office said it received an animal neglect complaint which “expressed concerns about unsanitary conditions and lack of medical care for animals at the home” from someone who had recently picked up two other dogs that had been fostered there.

Local officers executed a search warrant at the address and found 14 dogs in need, which were taken into police custody. “Some dogs were found confined in metal cages, while others roamed freely within the residence,” the Humane Society said. “Additionally, three cats were rescued. Tragically, four deceased cats were discovered inside a kitchen freezer.”

The Humane Society said the four dead cats would be taken to the Cornell Animal Diagnostic Center, where necropsies would be done to determine their cause of death.

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The shelter added that all the surviving animals were taken to its facility for veterinary care.

“Initial assessments revealed that the dogs and cats were flea ridden, suffering from fur loss, [had] dental issues, and ear infections,” the Humane Society said. “All are currently receiving ongoing medical attention.”

The shelter added that a “Town of Canandaigua Code Enforcement Officer also deemed the residence uninhabitable due to severe hoarding conditions.”

LaFleur and Burr are both set to appear in court to face their charges at a later date, according to The Finger Lake Times, WHAM, and WHEC. PEOPLE has reached out to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office for the latest.