I know I want to be a crazy cat lady and all, but I think I'll stop at ten ;)

Please read and pass along:

A home literally overrun by cats got the attention of local police as well as the SPCA Sunday night. But they weren't legally able to do much to help.

Several of the animals were dead and more than a dozen others appeared sickly--all while the homeowners were no where to be found.

It all happened at a property on Chestnut Street in Elmwood Place.

When 9News Reporter Lance Barry first arrived on the scene, two cats were laying dead on the sidewalk. More than a dozen others were freely wandering outside.

According to residents in this neighborhood, all of this was happening as the pets' owners and owners of the home are on vacation.

As of Sunday night, many of the cats remain. The Hamilton County SPCA says legally they can't do a thing about it.

One of the more fortunate cats was able to meow, but others found outside the home weren't even able to make a noise. It was conditions like these that prompted the SPCA to take away some of the sickest.

Their actions come too late to please Sam Phelps who lives across the street from the home that neighbors say is owned by Marcia and Kevin Kammers.

"It has been going on for a couple of years and a lot of people here on the street have made complaints with the village and the SPCA and nothing was ever done about it," said Phelps.

Two of the cats were found outside dead--one on the sidewalk, and another underneath an empty beer box.

The SPCA wasn't able to take away all the cats, and they tell us that's for a reason. Unlike dogs, state law does not allow them to take away stray cats unless they have serious health issues. That was unwelcome news to those who live near them.

"Everytime the SPCA gets called they take two (cats), so I figure there are 25 over there, a few more calls, they will all be gone," said neighbor Billy Plavsic.

So where are the cats' owners? Neighbors here tell us the Kammers are on vacation and that they often leave for long weekends during the summer--leaving all this behind.

"Even when they are here, they (cats) are out. It doesn't make a difference," said Plavsic.

"I am suprised you don't see more than what you do with the way they have been treated," said Phelps.

Despite the conditions, it doesn't look like there are any criminal charges pending.

We're told again, that is because cats generally are classified differently than dogs. Much to the dismay of residents here, the SPCA says their hands are tied. The SPCA was able to give the cats some food, but many of the felines were simply left behind.

PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO CONTACT THE SPCA AND ASK THAT THEY REMOVE THE REMAINING ANIMALS AND CHARGE THE OWNERS WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

The SPCA's lack of action in this situation hinges on the perception that the remaining cats are strays, however it could easily be argued that these cats are not strays, but simply unsocialized outdoor cats belonging to the homeowners. Some of the animals were already found dead. Please contact the SPCA before its too late for the rest of them.

To contact the SPCA, call or write to:

Hamilton County SPCA
3949 Colerain AVE
Cincinnati, OH 45223
Phone: (513)541-6100
Fax: (513)542-7722