Landlord cries foul over alleged cat hoarding

A Thunder Bay rental property owner says she's lost money because of a neighbour hoarding animals.

April Roukema said a nearby resident has dozens of catsnear her rental property in the Westfort area.

Sometenants have moved out in the past, because they can no longer stand the odour from the neighbouring property, she said.

"Holes that have been cut in the home itself to allow access for the cats to come and go," she said. "But the smell from the urine is unbearable."

When Roukema bought the house five years ago, she said it was cool out and didnt notice the smell.

"It's kind of a good thing we haven't had a hot and humid summer," she continued. "Because that's when the smell becomes unbearable."

CBC News couldn't verify the number of cats on the property, but several could be seen in the yard on Thursday and the smell of cat urine could be detected.

Symptom of a bigger problem?

Roukema said the Humane Society has told her there is nothing it can do about the issue.

The society receives four-to-six calls a year about animal hoarding, according to executive director Glen Wilson.

"We agreewith the way the city has voted on this, and to keep things the exact same," he said, referring to the citys decision to not look at limiting the number of pets in Thunder Bay households.

"It's the ones where all the sudden there's 30 or 40 or 100 animals that are in a house it's a real issue."

Wilson said what's needed most are more supports for people with mental health issues, as hoarding animals can be a sign that help is needed.

The Humane Society confirmed the city's Animal Services department took roughly 10 cats and two dogs from a home on Dease Street on Thursday, and Humane Society investigators will be following up with the numerous other cats that remain in the home.