Area Cat Hoarder Getting Help From Humane Society

Northeast Iowa authorities have discovered another animal hoarding incident in an Eastern Iowa home.

On Thursday (Aug. 22) at about 11:15am, the Cedar Valley Humane Society requested assistance from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, while workers conducted an animal welfare check at a home on Dale Lee Drive in Palo.

After an inspection of the residence, authorities determined the home owner was not able to safely care for a large number of cats. In this case, there were 20 cats found in the home and the property.

The owner has been identified as Jo Ellen Marconi. She voluntarily released the cats to the Cedar Valley Humane Society, which took custody of the 20 felines. The agency will also follow up with the city of Palo if more cats turn up.

The Linn County Health Department, Department of Human Services, and the city of Palo assisted the sheriff and humane society in the incident, which remains under investigation by the Linn County Sheriff's Office.