A Winnipeg family is anxiously waiting for a hearing at city hall on Monday that will determine if they can keep 30 cats in their Fort Rouge home.

Lyle Lay and his family are applying for an excess animal permit. Without one, city bylaws only allow three cats per household.

"These are our family," says Lay. "We've been taking care of them for 15 years and how do you pick three of out 30 cats to live in your household?"

The family has been taking in stray and unwanted cats for years. If their application is denied, they will have to give up most of their pets.

All of the 30 cats are spayed or neutered.

Lay says keeping so many cats is expensive, with their cat food bills totalling about $400 per month. The family has given up taking trips in ordere to afford their pets, he says.

City documents show that the public service is recommending the permit be granted. An animal services officer inspected the home and noted that the property was very clean with only a minor cat smell and there was food and water available for the cats, the documents say.