The Arvada Police Department rescued more than 100 cats from a home after a report of potential animal abuse.

Police responded to a home in the 8300 block of Sheridan Court on March 11 after reports of “potential animal cruelty,” according to a Wednesday news release from the department.

When Arvada animal management officers entered the home, they discovered a “large number of cats living in unsafe and uninhabitable conditions,” the department said.

Over the next week, city and police department employees worked to clear the house of animals, leading to the removal of 114 cats by Wednesday. The home was also condemned.

The cats were transferred to a nearby shelter, where they are receiving care. The shelter was not named.

The owners of the home are facing animal cruelty charges, the department said.

Technically, the animal owners have to relinquish ownership of the cats before they can be adopted out by the shelter. If the owners are found guilty of animal abuse charges, the cats would then immediately be relinquished.

The department added that mental health responders are working on the case.

“Cases like this are often linked to animal hoarding, which is recognized as a mental health disorder,” the department said. “These situations typically begin with good intentions — a desire to care for animals — but can quickly become overwhelming, leading to unsafe conditions for both people and pets.”

Early intervention is crucial, the department said, asking people to report similar situations to local police before things escalate.

“We appreciate the community members who reported these concerns, and we recognize the dedication of the teams,” according to the release, “including the City of Lafayette Animal Protection Officers, who worked to ensure these animals are now safe.”