Unlicensed kennel shut down in Holts Summit

As many as 40 cats were kept in a Holts Summit residence, and animal rescue volunteers began removing the animals Monday.

The animals were being kept in what the Holts Summit Police Department referred to as an unlicensed kennel.

According to the department, animal rescue volunteers began by removing 17 cats from a residence in the 800 block of Nieman Road at 9 a.m. Monday. The department began investigating the residence after neighbors filed complaints last year.

Officer Marc Haycook said complaints began to be filed last summer and the department tried to work with the homeowners to solve the issue, but nothing came of it, leading to the filing of criminal charges.

"They had 40-plus cats and dogs and everything in that house," Haycook said.

The release states special arrangements have been made with a local shelter for the cats to be adopted once they are cleared by a veterinarian. Haycook said the animal rescue volunteers will continue to remove animals from the residence as not all were removed Monday.

"We're working with a shelter to take these animals ... they actually have a need right now for cats," Haycook said.

The homeowners face charges in Holts Summit Municipal Court and are scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.