In a joint effort, the SPCA and Seaside police served search warrants at the properties, where SPCA workers also found 51 live cats on Tuesday.
"It's very disturbing," SPCA humane investigation supervisor Capt. Judi Adams said, adding that all the dead felines were very young, "newborn, a day or a week old."
The company that manages the properties contacted the SPCA after seeing dead kittens on the property several days ago, Adams said.
The warrants were executed simultaneously, SPCA spokeswoman Beth Brookhouser said. The SPCA has not disclosed the locations of the properties but said they are near each other.
"I've never seen a case like this before in my entire career," she said.
There were no kittens among the live cats seized. Adams said most of the dead kittens were wrapped in towels and put into containers or boxes located throughout both residences.
Among the dead kittens, Adams said SPCA workers also found cremation boxes with the ashes of 40 to 50 other felines, all of which were done professionally and had the names and dates of death.
Adams said SPCA medical examiners did not yet know how the kittens died, but were in the process of examining them to determine cause of death.
All of the living cats were brought to the SPCA shelter, where they were given thorough medical exams and flea and worm treatments, Adams said. They were also vaccinated.
All five of the un-spayed female cats recovered are pregnant, and two others needed emergency surgery for pyometra, a severe uterine infection that is fatal if untreated.
The 51 cats' coats were in poor condition, and all were suffering from upper respiratory infections, parasites and dental disease.
They are currently in comfortable living confines while being treated, and are being given fresh food and clean water, Adams said.
The SPCA has received reports that the cats were taken from nearby streets. Any owners who are looking for missing cats are urged to contact the SPCA.
Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be sent to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for a charging decision, Adams said.
The investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.
Anyone interested in adopting a cat, or who wants to report animal cruelty, can call the SPCA at 831-373-2631. All calls are confidential.
(Mercury News - July 25, 2012)