REDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Animal control officers from multiple agencies are continuing efforts to rescue dozens of cats from a Redford Township home after authorities declared the property an imminent danger to public health.
Redford Township Animal Control responded to a home in the 20000 block of Gaylord Street on Wednesday (June 24) after receiving a welfare check request.
Officers found what officials described as deplorable living conditions.
The homeowner was located and transported to a Metro Detroit hospital for treatment.
Hazardous conditions force officers to retreat
After obtaining a search warrant, animal control officers from Redford Township, Southfield, Dearborn Heights, and the city of Wayne attempted to enter the home but were forced to retreat due to suffocating fumes and gases inside.
The Redford Township Fire Department broke out the home’s windows to ventilate the structure and installed screens to prevent potentially diseased cats from escaping.
The Wayne County Public Health Department determined the home was too dangerous to enter without several days of ventilation, high-level respirators, and specialized protective equipment.
Authorities left water and open bags of cat food inside the home while waiting for conditions to improve.
Multi-agency response mobilizes
Redford Township Animal Control later partnered with multiple agencies, including the Redford Township Building Department, Detroit Animal Care and Control, the Wayne County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Michigan Humane, to safely enter the home.
On June 28, officials returned with a second search warrant after the building department determined the structure was safe enough to enter, despite finding more than two feet of water in the basement.
Animal control officers worked in 10-minute shifts due to hazardous conditions.
Officials observed more than 20 feral cats, but the animals quickly scattered into the basement, rafters, tunnels, and piles of debris.
After several hours, crews captured only one cat.
The Redford Township Department of Public Services used a vacuum truck to remove much of the standing water from the basement before officials determined that live traps offered the best chance to rescue the remaining animals.
Rescue efforts ongoing
As of June 30, 2026, six cats had been rescued and transported to Michigan Humane for evaluation and treatment.
Live traps remain inside the home and are being checked daily.
Redford Township Animal Control Chief Jennifer Mansfield said the safety of responders remains the department’s top priority.
The Wayne County Health Officer has declared the property an imminent danger to public health and prohibited anyone other than authorized personnel from entering.
Officials warned that unauthorized entry could result in criminal charges.
The Redford Township Building Department has declared the home unfit for occupancy and is pursuing additional legal action.
Charges filed against homeowner
The homeowner has been cited for exceeding the allowable number of animals.
Two animal cruelty charges, failure to provide medical care and maintaining unsanitary conditions, have been submitted to the prosecutor’s office for review.
Animal control officers say they will continue checking the live traps each day until all known cats have been safely removed from the home.