A Louisiana woman has surrendered to authorities after 17 cats were found dead in a business in Walker, Louisiana, during dangerously hot conditions where the animals had no access to food or water. Twenty other cats were rescued in severe distress. Madison Rebecca Colello, 29, turned herself in on Thursday morning at the Livingston parish detention center. She now faces 17 felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty for the dead cats and 37 misdemeanor charges related to the care of the surviving animals. The incident began on September 12 when Walker police officers responded to a report of suspected animal cruelty. They conducted a welfare check at a local business called Waffles Way Home. Upon entering, they found the temperature inside approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), with an open door. Inside, they discovered dozens of cats and kittens confined in deplorable conditions with no access to food or water. Seventeen of the animals were found dead, while the remaining 20 were rescued in severe distress. Walker Police Chief David Addison described the situation as heartbreaking, noting the number of animals affected and the suffering they endured. Authorities observed that the area was clean, but the extreme heat and lack of veterinary care had caused significant harm to the animals. Emergency help was brought in for the surviving animals, including assistance from Walker’s animal control agency, representatives from the animal shelter in Denham Springs, and volunteers from the nonprofit Rescue, Rehome & Repeat, according to Louisiana news outlet WAFB. The Humane Society of Louisiana director, Jeff Dorson, reported that Rescue Alliance of Gonzales, Louisiana, took in 12 sick cats that Colello allegedly kept in her garage. Dorson noted that all 12 cats were suffering from upper respiratory infections and possible ringworm, highlighting the severe health conditions the animals endured under her care.