Woman in "cat fight" to save 50 felines

Waterbury (WTNH) - When you see the cats on the couch, on the floor, and everywhere in Tracey Hope's Waterbury apartment, you ask have to ask, how did it get like this?

"It got to this point of being able to have the money or the resources of the help," Hope said.

It began when Hope rescued five cats roaming the neighborhood; they multiplied.

Having 50 felines brought complaints from other tenants and an eviction notice from the landlord. Now, word from animal control officers will come Wednesday to take all the cats; meaning it's possible the animals will be put down.

"Thats pretty heart breaking, so I'm screaming for help," said Hope.

But most animal shelters are already full.

Two groups have stepped in including the SPCA of Connecticut, which is taking five cats, and vowing to match cat for cat what other animal groups remove.

This kind of cat problem isn't common but many folks who begin by trying to help end up needing the rescue.

"Sometimes there are better ways to help than to grab every cat off the street and bring it in. If you can't properly take of it, you're not helping," said Clare Hegemiller of SPCA.

Even though she's named each one, Hope is ready to let them go again.

"The cats don't deserve to live in an environment like this," she said.

Anyone interested in adopting a cat can contact the SPCA at 1-800-845-1967.