Dozens of cats were rescued from unsafe, snowy conditions at a Maryland property on Feb. 25

Officials in Maryland rescued more than 100 cats from an alleged cruelty case — and they say many of the animals were underweight, had infections, and were living in unsanitary, snow-covered outdoor shelters.

According to officials in Wicomico County and Humane World for Animals, previously known as the Humane Society of the United States, law enforcement agents served a search and seizure warrant at a home in Delmar, Md., on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

Humane World for Animals said in a press release shared with PEOPLE that law enforcement arrived at the home at around 7 a.m. They found dozens of cats, many severely underweight, and some with apparent respiratory infections, huddled outside or in hazardous, unsanitary outbuildings covered with snow.

Several deceased cats and skeletal remains were also found on the property, Humane World for Animals said.

“It’s sad beyond words to see so many sick, desperate cats in the cold, especially knowing they just endured a snowstorm in such poor health. Their survival is testament to their resilience, which gives me hope as we help them begin a long road to recovery,” Shalimar Oliver, an animal crimes case manager, said in the press release.

The Humane Society of Wicomico County, Wicomico County Animal Control, and an animal control officer with the Salisbury Police Department were also called to the scene to assist. Humane World for Animals helped to document the scene and to provide animal handling and veterinary care.

“This was a complex and large-scale operation conducted under challenging weather conditions, and we are grateful for the expertise and resources provided by Humane World for Animals and the Wicomico County Humane Society, as well as the assistance of Wicomico County Animal Control and Salisbury Animal Control,” Lieutenant Burley Williams of the Sheriff’s Office said in part.

The cats have since been transported to a safe, undisclosed location, per the press release, and officials confirmed the felines will receive care and veterinary treatment.

“We are deeply grateful to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office for inviting us to work alongside them in getting these cats the care and treatment they deserve,” Oliver added.

Both Wicomico County officials and Humane World cited the rescue’s success as an example of Maryland’s cost-of-care law, which the nonprofit helped pass in 2022.

“The law requires the owner of animals seized by law enforcement agencies to either contribute to animal care expenses or forfeit custody of the animals,” the press release states. “Without such measures, seized animals are often held for months or years while criminal cases are prosecuted, which imposes a prohibitive cost on law enforcement agencies and taxpayers.”

“We also recognize the importance of Maryland’s cost-of-care law, which helps alleviate the financial burden associated with long-term animal seizures and allows for more timely placement when appropriate,” Lieutenant Williams added.

The sheriff’s office noted that the investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are “working collaboratively with our partners to pursue accountability and safeguard the welfare of animals in Wicomico County.”

“Today’s rescue of over 100 cats in Maryland is what’s possible when partners across agencies work swiftly and in unison,” Stacey Volodin, the Maryland director of Humane World for Animals, added in the press release.

“I’d like to thank the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, and all the agencies involved in ensuring this seizure could move forward safely, effectively, and with the animals’ well-being at the center of every decision,” Volodin added.