"All 20 of the cats were stuffed into 2 crates without food or water & a note that said their caretaker had passed away," the Monmouth County SPCA said on Facebook.
The cats were safely brought inside the SPCA's building on Wall Street in Eatontown.
"We understand that this individual was trying to do the right thing," the SPCA said in its post. "However it is totally inappropriate and unsafe to abandon animals outside -- not to mention, illegal by NJ state law."
All of the famished cats are now in good hands: They were given warm bedding, meals and medical attention, the SPCA said.
"We’re saddened that this woman felt abandoning these animals was her only option," the SPCA added, asking who can identify this woman or has any information, to call the Monmouth County Cruelty Hotline at 877-898-7297.
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