OLYMPIA, WA. – It was a horrifying discovery behind the walls of an upscale home near Olympia and neighbors were stunned to find out that a woman living there was hiding such a terrible secret.

Animal Services of Thurston County officers served a warrant in a "horrific" animal cruelty case and found 20 cats living in the worst conditions they had ever seen.

The cats – all purebred Himalayans – were locked in cages in a non-ventilated garage and on a bedroom, with feces piled up more than 6 inches.

The cats' hair was matted and caked with feces and urine.

KING

The cats' hair was matted and caked with feces and urine.

The owner – a woman in her 50's – lives alone in the house in an upscale subdivision. Apparently, no one knew about the cats.

"I had no idea she had any animals at all," said neighbor Sandy McCaig. "She never opened anything. I never saw the garage door open is six years."

The owner recently had water damage to the house and brought in repair crews. It was one of the workers who tipped of police.

Because of the exposure to those awful fumes, many of the cats have eye, nose and lung damage, some have skin infections and other have problems the vets haven't even discovered yet.

The woman was arrested Thursday and she is possible facing 20 counts of animal neglect and cruelty.

If you would like more information on this case or if you'd like to donate to Animal Services, call 360-352-2510.