The three residents at the rural Powell home where 157 cats were seized last week were charged Wednesday with a combined 35 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.Homeowner Clifton Taylor, 79, and his wife, Maurielena “Mimi” Nesbit, 63, each face 17 counts of cruelty for 17 of the cats found in poor physical condition. Each count carries a maximum penalty of up to six months in jail and a $750 fine.

Among the conditions reported among the 17 cats were fevers, thinness, scabs, sores, ringworm, discharges, urine scalds and tumors. Seven of those 17 animals were euthanized, court documents say.

The home's third resident, Michelle “Miki” Nesbit, Mimi Nesbit's twin sister, has been charged with one count of cruelty relating to one cat in poor condition; according to an affidavit filed in the case, Miki Nesbit told workers seizing the cats that she owned that cat.

The three residents are scheduled to appear in circuit court in Powell at 11 a.m. on Friday.

In the affidavit of probable cause, Park County Sheriff's Deputy Roger Dunn said he had assisted the Department of Family Services on a July 14 welfare check at the Lane 11 home south of Powell.

In the affidavit, Dunn reported seeing cats sitting in all of the windowsills and noted “very strong offensive odors” around the home's exterior and interior.

“In the living room, we observed several pieces of furniture that were caked with what appeared to be cat feces and cat fur,” wrote Dunn, going on to describe much of the home in similar terms. He said the conditions were also a concern for the humans residing in the home.

“In the kitchen, we observed that all surfaces, including the counters, stove, microwave, cupboards and floor were covered with what appeared to be cat feces,” he wrote.

Dunn wrote that Miki Nesbit's room was clean and had five cats.

“The cats in this room appeared to be better cared for than the other cats, but in a room that size, five cats is too many,” Dunn wrote, noting pee pads on the bed and treadmill.

Following a tour of the home, the DFS workers and Dunn visited with the Nesbit sisters and Taylor.

“During our discussion, the health of the cats was brought up,” wrote Dunn. “Comments were relayed that the cats are well taken care of and healthy.”

The affidavit indicates that efforts in the home had been made to keep the male and female cats separate, and the residents said they were working on building an outdoor cat house to clean up the home.

“I asked why they have so many cats,” wrote Dunn. “Replies were directed toward Mimi as the cat lover, taking in and adopting cats. Mimi said Clifton (hoards) cars and she (hoards) cats.”

Dunn returned with Powell veterinarian Teri Oursler on July 20 to assess the cats' condition.

Dr. Oursler observed several cats with signs of respiratory infections and wounds on their faces, likely as a result of fighting, the affidavit says.

Dunn said the cats had “plentiful and clean” water.

“There was dry food available, although there were flies all over the food,” he wrote.

Many cats were observed throughout the house; in one 8-foot by 10-foot room, Oursler estimated 50 cats, the affidavit says. A dead kitten was observed in the corner.

Oursler summarized that the cats were being kept in an inhumane manner and said most of the cats were lethargic and not well socialized, the affidavit says.

On a return visit on Aug. 19, “The condition of the home had not improved,” Dunn wrote. He estimated that between 75 and 100 cats were in the house with 12 outside.

On Aug. 26, workers with the Humane Society of the United States, the sheriff's office, DFS, Oursler and other veterinarians arrived with a search warrant and seized 157 cats from in and around the home. Most of the cats have been taken elsewhere for adopting out, with 101 of them being taken to shelter in Cheyenne, Denver and Fort Collins on Sunday.

The affidavit says all of the seized cats had ear mites, and most had upper respiratory infections and dental issues.

Oursler said additional cats were put down because they were too wild and would not calm down over multiple periods of observation.