The Moose Jaw Police Service assisted the Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan Thursday in the seizure of house pets from a residence on the 900 block of Montgomery St. W.   

A number of house cats were removed and the situation is now under investigation.  

Don Ferguson, executive director for Animal Protection Sask. said the residence has been on the Animal Protection Service's radar since July when Animal Protection Services undertook the seizure of a number of animals at that time. 

"We have attended to the residence in July and again yesterday under animal protection act search warrants with support for keeping the peace by the Moose Jaw Police Service. Animals have been removed from the property, and it's ongoing." 

Ferguson said he couldn't provide any other details at this time, however, protection services are typically brought in to conduct a seizure when animals are in distress. 

"Generally we are contacted to investigate concerns under the animal protection act, and that is no person who is the owner or person in charge of care can allow an animal to be in distress, which is defined as being deprived of adequate food, water, shelter, veterinary care, is wounded, ill, in pain, suffering, abused or neglected."  

Ferguson said in his experience, generally speaking when animals are at risk in a situation, the people involved are also at risk in some way. 

"There's a well-known link between human and animal violence. Animal problems are caused by people with problems. Generally, there could be any multitude of situations going on in terms of domestic squalor, domestic violence, interpersonal violence, financial constraints, as well as mental health issues." 

If you'd like to help out in the protection of animal welfare, Ferguson said the best way to go about it is to report any issues you see in your neighbourhood. 

"If you see something, say something. We can't go into address the problem if we don't know about it."