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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Couple in North Side house said they have 39 cats

Cats taken from home

Animal control officers wore white hazardous material suits as they worked to remove potentially dozens of cats from a Spokane home Wednesday.

The couple who live at the residence, located on the 4000 block of North Addison Street, told SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. they have 39 cats. Officers had removed 20 cats as of Wednesday evening.

SpokAnimal officials said the unidentified couple who live at the residence was cooperating and no charges have been filed, so they released few details Wednesday.

Spokane County records show John K. Billington and Pamela M. Billington own the property, but it is unknown whether they are the two people currently living in the squalid home, which smelled strongly of urine.

Animal Control Officer Ken Trambitas said they would finish removing the cats today and they will be examined.

He said they deal with “at least a couple cases every year” that are similar to this one.

“More often than we’d like to,” he said.