Authorities said the two homes on Mathilda Street are owned by Elanor Clifford, 67, who didn’t cooperate when police rescued the cats.

Officials estimated a total of 40 to 50 cats in the home Clifford lives in and said there is no running water.

A few doors down the street is the second house that has dozens of cats.

Clifford said her cats are well cared for.

“I don’t know how many I have, but I feed them,” Clifford said.

Officials said only nine of the sickest cats were removed on Friday because shelter space is at a premium.

Animals Friends will assume care until the others can be rescued.

Clifford is facing up to 70 counts of animal cruelty, plus zoning violations, police said.

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