Animal rescue groups removed 115 purebred cats from a Montgomery County home on Wednesday in what officials call a rescue gone awry.

Rescuers were alerted to conditions inside a house in the 2000 block of Berkly Road in Audubon in August and found scores of emacatiated cats, infested with fleas and parasites. Because the rescue groups had no place to put the cats - among them Himalyans, Persians, Ragdolls, Maine Coon and Siamese - they left them in the home and arranged to supervise the care of the cats.

But conditions did not improve and with the help of the Pennsylvania SPCA, rescuers went back in and removed the cats.

"They were in really bad shape," said Pat Maloney of Pet Adoption and Lifecare Society, which led the rescue.

The owner of the property - who has not at this point been charged with animal cruelty - operated as a rescue, taking in cats that were scheduled to be euthanized at area shelters, said Maloney.

The only problem was "they forgot the adoption part," and it became a hoarding situation, she said.

Officials with the PSPCA said they are awaiting medical reports before determining whether charges will be filed against the owner.

The cats were taken to an undisclosed facility to receive vet care. Four cats were in critical condition with various illnesses yesterday. Maloney said they want to keep the location secret for fear of people dumping cats there.

Anyone interested in adopting the cats or donating money or supplies for their care should check out the PALS Website or call 610-299-1860