Two pet welfare organizations scooped up 21 neglected cats last week and hauled them off for treatment and care.

Within hours, the 21 cats received food, shelter and veterinary treatment, and were spayed or neutered, according to reports from Moore Humane Society and Animal Advocates of Moore County.

Observers said the cats were found within a wire chicken coop with almost no shelter from the elements. The only water bowl was filled with urine and feces.

"Cats are extremely clean animals, grooming themselves once or twice a day," said Maureen Burke-Horansky, founder of AAMC. "The stress they must have suffered while living in such conditions had to affect their immune systems."

When Humane Society members and a deputy sheriff arrived at the scene near Cameron late Saturday, the cats were found sitting atop a dresser or in their food pan, apparently to get away from the mud, rain water and layers of feces.

Corky Frye and Jeanne Orlando with the Humane Society and Barb Shepherd with Animal Advocates removed the 21 cats. The Humane Society took 11, and AAMC the remaining 10.

Horansky said one dead kitten was found under the dresser in the chicken wire enclosure. One of the female cats had been declawed on all four paws.

The rescuers said one cat was so thirsty that it drank "water for 15 minutes when it reached the shelter." Several cats were so badly infested with ear mites that their ears were bleeding. One cat had a rotting hole in her leg.

Since the rescue, all 21 have been bathed and groomed and treated by Dr. Kelli Wofford, a veterinarian. The rescue groups' spokesperson said that some of the cats had already been sterilized and arrangements were made for spay/neuter procedures for the others.

The rescue groups reported that the rescue effort was launched after the Humane Society received a call "that some cats were being kept in deplorable conditions near Cameron in Moore County." They did not reveal who owned the cats.

Both nonprofit animal welfare organizations are accepting contributions to defray the expense of care and treatment of the cats. Anyone wishing to help can send a check to Moore Humane Society, P.O. Box 203, Southern Pines 28388 or to Animal Advocates of Moore County, P.O. Box 3399, Pinehurst 28374.

Contact Florence Gilkeson at 947-4962 or by e-mail at florence@thepilot.com.