“It's a horrible living condition for the cats,” the rescuers said after posting the images on Facebook. “The unnourished cats proliferated and after just nine weeks of gestation, things got out of control very quickly,” the Toronto Cat Rescue Society described what they saw in the apartment as a “ The overcrowding situation is terrible."

People living in neighboring apartments have been concerned since they smelled a strong odor coming from the apartment. “The smell was so strong, it was unbearable,” Jeanette Lawrence told CTV News. You just have to walk in the hallway and you can't breathe."

The cats were rescued from their Toronto apartment on May 4, and the search for them has begun. All cats will be vaccinated and prevented from uncontrolled breeding. Most of them were in good health, with only 1 needing dental care.

The rescuers also said that “the cats and kittens are now living well with their new owners. We greatly appreciate the help of the volunteers and staff involved in rescuing cats. This is the second largest "cat nest" found within a month, and it is important that this should not continue."