Animal control officers recently removed 178 cats from a home in West Bloomfield in what authorities are calling the largest animal hoarding case in Oakland County history.

The couple who owns the home but lives elsewhere could face animal cruelty charges.

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"It was very disgusting," Joanie Toole, chief of the Oakland County Animal Shelter, said. "Officers were telling me that the floors were so urine-soaked that the floors were actually bowing."

On April 24, an animal control officer visited the residence on the 1700 block of Elsie Drive and saw several sick cats through a window. That led to search warrants and a removal operation that stretched over several days and included investigators from the Michigan Humane Society.

Some of the cats were sick with upper respiratory infections and other health problems. Sixty had to be euthanized because of severe illness or aggression. The rest are being treated in the hope that they will be able to be put up for adoption.

One cat gave birth to a kitten while being transported to the animal shelter.

Toole said the officers believe they removed the last of the cats last week. Just to be sure they didn't miss any, they returned to the property Monday and set traps.

Toole said it's unclear why the couple had so many cats in the house. A homeowner relinquished the ownership of the animals to the shelter.

Investigators plan to turn the case over to the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office for possible animal cruelty charges.

Anyone who is interested in adopting one of the rescued cats can call the Oakland County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center at 248-858-1070.

Contact Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.