TWIN FALLS -- 323.

That's how many cats were found living in unsanitary conditions inside the Rocky Mountain Cat Resort on South Washington Street -- some with serious health problems.

"Some of them were really sick," said Nancy Howell, public information officer for the Twin Falls County sheriff's office, the agency in charge of the investigation.

Janet Rasmussen, the cat boarding house owner, agreed in court Friday to surrender the cats to the state of Idaho for medical treatment and quarantine.

Veterinarians euthanized some cats that "could not be rehabilitated," Howell said. "Some were blind because of illness. One had infected skin. All of them had ear mites."

The goal of Friday's hearing, Howell said, was to determine how to provide care for the animals. The state accepted custody of the cats under the direction of Idaho Department of Agriculture veterinarian Debra Lawrence.

No charges have been filed against Rasmussen, who appeared in court with her attorney.

According to the sheriff's office, there have been prior complaints associated with the boarding house. In one case, an Idaho health certificate signed Nov. 10 by Dr. Patrick Jones in Buhl, stated a cat sold to a Michigan lady by Rasmussen was healthy. A Michigan veterinarian who inspected the cat assessed that the cat's infections could not have progressed so much in such a short time.

Jones said Friday he examined a cat for Rasmussen but that "the cat I examined was perfectly healthy. I was very surprised when the lady who got the animal called me."

Howell said the state will not put the cats up for adoption until they have been quarantined and treated.