CASCO – More than two dozen cats, some of them dead, were found in a Casco home last week.

The town is now working with the homeowner, who is cooperating with officials to help get the cats proper care and find them a new home.

Casco Town Manager David Morton said Tuesday the cats were reported by a neighbor who called 911 to report the overpopulation problem.

A sheriff’s deputy arrived, noticed the door ajar and multiple cats inside and outside the residence. Morton said the property owner, whom he declined to identify, “is working in cooperation with the town and has surrendered the cats to the town and agreed to reimburse the town for the cost of removal, care and placement of the animals.”

Morton said the town was having trouble placing all the animals, some of which he said were “very dirty,” with area shelters filled. Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg, Casco’s contracted shelter, was at capacity and unable to accept the cats, Morton reported, and some of the healthier cats are still at the Burgess Road home.

“Many of the animals have been removed and placed in appropriate facilities depending upon the level of care required,” Morton said. “Some shelters have been very good and opened up what little space they have and we’ve taken some of the animals to veterinary clinics and they’ve been very helpful.”

Morton said 24 cats of all ages had been removed so far. He said there were dead cats found at the home as well, but he could not provide the number.

“They weren’t very clean so they were very dirty,” Morton said. “There are additional cats in the building and they’re presenting a bit more of a challenge, and we have no place to put them at this point, so we’re either looking for space or considering a temporary emergency shelter.”

Morton was speaking on behalf of the town’s animal control officer, Susan Fielder, who declined to speak on the issue, referring all questions to the town manager.

While Morton is not releasing the pet owner’s name, the town of Casco’s property tax database indicates 23 Burgess Road is owned by the George Burgess estate with Olive Burgess named as the second owner. It comprises 60.3 acres and is valued at $198,920.

Morton also didn’t disclose which animal shelters are housing the cats, saying there were a few involved. Morton suggests those wishing to adopt the cats can reach out to area shelters and rescues, which are experiencing higher-than-usual numbers.

The Animal Refuge League in Westbrook is reporting about 200 animals, about twice as many as usual.

“This time of year, we’re always faced with an overpopulation of kittens,” said Toni McLellan, the league’s director of operations. “It’s kitten season, and we have lots of kittens in foster [care] waiting to come back. Right now, we have well over 200 animals on site. Normally, it’s over 100, and we’re climbing so within a month’s time we could be up over 400 animals.”

Morton said the town could use help finding “forever homes,” as McLellan puts it, for these cats in Casco but that those interested should contact area shelters directly.

“Since the town isn’t involved in the animal adoption business, they would need to go through shelters, and I can’t even tell you which shelters have them right now because we’ve had to go to a variety of places,” Morton said. “So, if people want to adopt animals in general, they should go to rescue shelters since it’s a good opportunity to get some animals that need a home.”

Morton said the town is not filing animal cruelty charges against the homeowner and is working through the property owner’s attorney.

“The town is bringing no charges,” Morton said. “The property owner has been very cooperative, agreed to cover the municipal costs, has allowed us unfettered access to capture the cats and has surrendered them so we can take them to appropriate facilities.”

Morton said Casco has had three recent hoarding cases, none of them related.

“This is the third issue in three years so it’s not uncommon. I don’t know that there’s any similar circumstances or a pattern here,” Morton said. “Hoarding of cats is not uncommon and some will even call it a disease. I don’t know about those things, but again this is the third time in three years we’ve had an issue with it.”