20 Cats, 14 Dogs Seized from Albany Home

When they met at a cat show, they agreed to have their two pets breed, investigators said.

But after a Long Island woman sent her cat to Joseph Grossman's home in Albany, she never saw it again.

Grossman refused to return the cat, according to investigators, and at one point even told the woman her cat had died.

Suspicious, the unidentified woman called Albany police and went to Grossman's home with officers. He refused to let them in, but the strong odor of urine and feces coming from inside the home didn't escape them.

Police called the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society and the two agencies executed a search warrant at Grossman's home at 27 South St.

There, they found 20 cats and 14 dogs living in what they call unsanitary conditions. The Humane Society says their vets are now testing the animals to determine the cause of their respiratory and skin infections.

"Luckily, we believe the stolen cat is still alive and can be returned to her rightful owner," said Humane Society director Brad Shear in a prepared statement."

"Unfortunately, it is becoming more common for people to buy cats and dogs from breeders without actually seeing where the animals came from, so breeders can have animals in terrible conditions and still sell breeds that are in high demand,"  Shear continued. "These animals are sold for thousands of dollars, but obviously little of that money was going for their care.  All of the animals will need veterinary care before they will be ready for adoption to new loving homes."

The Humane Society says Grossman has given over all of his cats and eight dogs to the shelter, but that he's said he wants to keep six of the dogs. City of Albany laws, however, only allow five pets older than six months per household.

Grossman could face animal cruelty charges, according to Humane Society officials.