Animal Rescue: More Than 260 Animals Taken From Squalid Kansas City Duplex

More than 260 animals were taken from “deplorable conditions” after authorities discovered them in a duplex unit in Kansas City. Authorities found the creatures after responding to an anonymous tip from a neighbor complaining about the smell.

In all, Kansas City Animal Control found 217 rats, 16 rabbits, nine hamsters, six turtles and tortoises, three gerbils, three mice and two geckos. The staff of the KC Pet Project was called in to help with the animals and the group’s veterinarians will be working to evaluate their conditions.

“Quite frankly we were stunned at what we saw,” said John Bacalla, spokesman for Kansas City Animal Control. “The house is full of lab rats and geckos and turtles and guinea pigs and rabbits.”

KMBCm Kasas City, reported firefighters were on the scene to help with removal of the animals In the home, cages were found full of animal waste alongside tanks full of some sort of murky water. Some cages were found with as many as 30 rats.

The resident, Mikey Montero, attempted to explain they started with only a few animals for emotional support due to anxiety. Once the creatures started breeding, their numbers got out of hand. Montero said he worried about what would happen if he got rid of the animals.

“I have anxiety and stuff so I have them for emotional support, and they really help me a lot,” Montero said. “Whenever I'm feeling down and depressed, I play with them or just think about them.”