A rancid odor drifting from a room at a DeLand motel on Thursday led to a grim discovery: authorities say 19 cats had been abandoned in separate rooms, with three found dead and 16 others rushed out for treatment. An investigation is now underway to determine how the animals ended up there and who walked away from them.
According to an April 9 report from FOX 35 Orlando, callers first alerted officials after noticing the strong, “rancid” smell coming from one of the motel rooms. Responders discovered 19 cats inside the property, the outlet reported, and the 16 survivors are now in the care of local animal-response teams.
Volusia County’s animal-services division handles reports involving abandoned or abused animals and lists both a dispatch line and an online complaint portal. As outlined by Volusia County Animal Services, residents can report suspicious animal behavior by calling 386-248-1777, while the main animal-services office can be reached at 386-248-1790 for non-emergencies.
Investigation and possible charges
FOX 35 Orlando reports that investigators were notified after the odor complaints and have opened a formal inquiry into the apparent abandonment. Chapter 828 of the Florida Statutes spells out penalties for animal cruelty and abandonment that range from a first-degree misdemeanor to aggravated animal cruelty as a third-degree felony when neglect results in death, per Florida Statutes (Chapter 828). Any potential charges would come only after investigators finish their work and, if appropriate, submit findings to prosecutors.
Shelters and next steps
The county’s animal-services reports page breaks down intake and disposition categories and notes that animals “confiscated” in cruelty cases are handled separately from routine intakes. They may be transferred to partner rescues for medical care when needed. The statistics portal from Volusia County Animal Services provides monthly intake and outcome data that officials use to track shelter capacity and case outcomes, and the local team coordinates with veterinary partners when animals require treatment.
Officials have not publicly identified any suspects or released the motel’s name, and additional case details have not yet surfaced in public records. Residents with information or concerns about animal neglect in Volusia County are urged to use the county dispatch number or the online complaint portal mentioned above so investigators can follow up.
