About 100 cats left behind in North Las Vegas home, neighbors say

By Victoria Saha

LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Frustration and worry has been growing for neighbors living on Turtleback Drive in North Las Vegas as they say 50-100 cats were left behind in a home.

FOX5 received a tip from a resident in the area who informed us about the cats and situation. However, Animal Protection Services was not able to get the cats out.

When we went to see for ourselves, cats were peaking out the window, and going in-and-out of a small opening in the garage.

“They are in everyone’s yard, back-and-forth. If I leave my garage open, they will come in there,” said neighbor Charles Smith.

Smith has lived in the neighborhood for six years and tells FOX5 the cats out of that home have always been an issue, except now the person living inside moved out and did not take the cats.

Records show the home was sold in June.

FOX5 reached out to the city of North Las Vegas and they tell us they were notified of the situation on July 19. According to a city spokesperson, the cats on the property are feral and have access in-and-out of the garage.

They also tell us APS has visited the house 20 times in the past six years, and have collaborated with the Community Cats Program to trap and neuter the cats. However, the residents inside allowed the cats inside the house, according to the city’s public information officer.

“They are animals it’s really sad to see the situation inside the house,” said Estrelle Salgado.

Salgado said she and a few other neighbors are leaving food and water out for the cats.

“They are super skinny, mistreated animals and none of us knew they lived under that condition until she moved out,” Salgado said.

According to Salgado, one neighbor also forced the window open to give the cats some air and then realized how bad the situation was.

“It was dark, you can see the eyes were all over, even little babies, little kitties, He was the one who told us there were so many in there,” Salgado said.

FOX5 reached out to the most recent owner listed on records; however, our calls were not answered.

The City of North Las Vegas said APS has been going out to the house every day to check on the cats and fill the water bowls.

However they are not allowed to legally enter the property without owner consent unless there is an “eminent danger to animals,” according to the city’s public information officer.

However, they should be able to access it by Wednesday.