A Franklin Township woman is facing numerous charges after police found more than two dozen cats — many of them malnourished — outside her home Sept. 4.

Lila Ann Dunning, 62, of the unit block of Penn Street, Lehighton, was charged with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and 25 counts of neglect of animals.

Franklin Township Police said 25 felines were found on her property. One of the cats had to be euthanized.

The others, however, were nursed back to health by area animal rescue groups, and are available for adoption.

Police were dispatched to Dunning’s residence around 6:35 p.m. Sept. 4 for a report of many cats left outside in cages during a storm. Police said it was noted that the animals looked malnourished and that some might have been dead.

Police spoke to a family member of Dunning who said the cats were outside because of a flea infestation inside the house. The man said he purchased items to fumigate the home and that the cats had been outside for three days.

Upon further inspection, police saw six more cages and crates containing cats outside the home, and a screened porch had seven cats. Police said that there was no food in some of the cages.

As police located another crate with a towel over it, Dunning came outside. She told officers that the cat inside was dead. Officers asked her to move the towel, and inside was a cat covered in flies and eggs.

Police realized that the cat was barely alive, and asked why she hadn’t taken it to the veterinarian.

Dunning said she didn’t have any money.

Around 9:53 p.m., the Starting Over Animal Rescue and Palmerton Cat Project were evaluating the situation. Police said both animal rescues were familiar with Dunning and had previously offered assistance to her.

SOAR took six cats and the ill cat, and PCP retrieved five. Both dropped off cat food to Dunning for the cats to eat until all could be taken into their care.

The following day, SOAR returned to find additional cats. Police said the remainder of the cats, including one that had been missing, were secured by the groups in the following days. In all, 25 cats were gathered.

Police said the cat that was ill had to be euthanized. Staff at the Rush Veterinary Urgent Care also reported that some of the cats were underweight due to poor dental care, one cat had to have an eye removed, and another had a broken jaw and teeth.

Dunning waived all charges and is free on $5,000 unsecured bail. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Nov. 19.

The PCP took 14 cats, which are now healthy. According to a post on Facebook, the cats “absolutely love the attention they receive from their caregivers and visitors. Each of them has developed a uniquely delightful personality. We now look forward to seeing them find wonderful homes and complete their healing journey”

The cats are available for adoption.

SOAR cared for the remainder of the cats, but unfortunately, one had to be euthanized due to its condition. The cats rescued by SOAR are available for adoption at Coal Cats Café in Tamaqua. One of the felines has already been adopted, SOAR officials reported.