Accused Seaside Cat Hoarders Appear in Court - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SEASIDE- The two women accused of hoarding cats in their Seaside homes plead not guilty in their first court hearing Tuesday.

Donna Johnson, 46, faces felony charges, and Maggie Johnson, 79, faces misdemeanor charges, for animal abuse. The two are accused of hoarding more than 50 cats and 113 dead kittens.

The SPCA for Monterey County Humane Investigators were tipped off by a property manager on July 24th to their Seaside Homes.

Many of the cats were malnourished, suffered from illness, or had fleas.

After Tuesday's court hearting, a family member of the Johnson women told Central Coast News his grandmother and aunt did not intend to harm the animals.

The recovered cats are now doing well at the SPCA.