DES MOINES, Iowa - The Animal Rescue League of Iowa has updated its removal of cats and kittens from the basement of a Des Moines home.
The total is now 77 after the league removed the final three cats from the home on 51st Street near Hickman that started last week.
Veterinarians have performed necropsies on the deceased cats and found that some of the deaths were related to a highly contagious viral disease that can be particularly deadly to kittens.
The league says all of the cats and kittens are under quarantine for 2 weeks while their health status is being monitored.
The quarantine has effectively shut down two rooms at the shelter.