SPRINGFIELD, N.Y. -- Multiple cats and dogs were seized during an animal abuse case in Otsego County.

New York State Police responded to a call on Rt. 80 in the Town of Springfield.

Two separate families are now facing possible animal abuse charges.

About 20 members from the SPCA were called in to help contain eight dogs and at least 11 cats.

The State Department of Environmental Conservation is also investigating a potential threat of disease to humans or other animals in the area.

Susquehanna SPCA Executive Director Stacie Haynes said that it’s not the first time the SPCA has dealt with these individuals.

"They did cooperate with an effort to spay and neuter, and so a lot of them are spayed and neutered, but nobody has been able to get to the bottom of the diseases that are rampant and the cats in that community," Haynes said.

NEWSChannel 2 did speak with several residences from the area, but they were all reluctant to go on camera saying this is a very small community; however, one neighbor did tell me the issue with the animals has been going on for years.

Stacie Haynes acknowledged the ongoing problem.

"We’ve probably taken in 50 or so animals from those three houses, which is why one day we looked at the numbers and said there’s a problem here. We have to get to the root and figure out what’s going on," Haynes said.

The neighbors started bringing dying animals to the SPCA, and when the organization tried trapping feral cats in the neighborhood, somebody would let them out.

The SPCA has concerns that the feral cats in the area may be diseased and could potentially spread disease to humans or other animals.

Haynes said that’s why it’s important to have professionals working on the case.

"The 20 people that I talked about that were out there, that’s all my paid staff. It’s pretty hard to find volunteers who are going to be professional trained in zoonotic diseases and protocols, and there’s a reason we have professionals," Haynes said.

The dogs and cats that have been seized are being cared for and will hopefully go up for adoption.

Haynes said these cases can become expensive, and it wouldn't be possible to help the animals without the help of donors.

"The only way we can help in these cases is by the goodness of folks who donate and contribute to the cause," Haynes said.

Arrests are expected in the case, pending the animal report, which should be completed sometime next week.

Multiple cats and dogs were seized during an animal abuse case in Otsego County.