The owner of the cats now faces 93 counts of animal cruelty

Over a hundred cats were left alone in a hot U-Haul van in California, and 28 of the felines were found dead before they could be rescued.

At 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 29, a deputy with the Merced County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) headed to a Taco Bell parking lot in Santa Nella, Calif., to do a welfare check on a group of cats in a U-Haul van, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

Initially, the MCSO deputy observed “at least 20 cats in distress through the vehicle’s window,” the release states. Photos of the scene show around a dozen fluffy, white felines visible through the vehicle’s windshield.

Two animal control officers responded to the incident and soon discovered that it was far more distressing than what authorities could see through the van’s window.

The officers found 106 cats alive but “extremely emaciated” and 28 dead felines inside the seemingly abandoned vehicle, the release states. The cats ranged in age from 1 week to 8 years old, according to the MCSO.

Whether the deceased cats died inside the van is unclear, but the sheriff’s office noted that “no food or water was located inside the vehicle.”

Temperatures reached a high of 99 degrees in Santa Nella on June 29, according to data from Weather.com.

All of the cats “were seized and taken to the Merced County Animal Shelter,” and issued veterinary treatment, the sheriff’s office said. The felines’ former owner was arrested on animal cruelty charges.

Officials identified Jeannie Maxon from Long Beach, Calif., as the owner of the seemingly abandoned animals, the MCSO said. Maxon, 69, was arrested and charged with 93 counts of animal cruelty.

“This investigation remains active,” the sheriff’s office said. As for the cats, they will be available for adoption once they have been medically cleared.

The MCSO shared the press release, along with photos of the van, on Facebook, and the post was met with outrage, with people calling the situation “horrifying” and “very sad and cruel.”

Along with sharing the tragic situation, the sheriff’s office issued a reminder about the dangers of leaving cats — or any animals — in a vehicle in warmer weather.

“The Merced County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that leaving any animal in a vehicle during the summer months is very dangerous,” the release states. “On a warm day, temperatures inside a car can soar to extreme levels in just a few minutes, even with the windows open. This can lead to heatstroke, dehydration, and even death of the animal left inside.”

“Please ensure that when you’re traveling with your pet, they’re provided with a cool place to stay, offering plenty of shade, lots of water, and food,” the release concludes.