OCEAN CITY, N.J. -- Video: Abandonment Of Purebred Cats Investigated | Officials at several Jersey Shore communities were trying to solve an animal cruelty mystery after valuable Himalayan and Persian purebred cats were dumped at animal shelters.

Three cats were dumped outside the Humane Society of Ocean City in the middle of the night.

"They reeked of feces and urine," said the society's Angela Coyle. "… They were matted. It definitely was neglect."

Those were among nine Persians and Himalayans abandoned last Sunday outside four animal care facilities in Cape May County, including a veterinary hospital in Middle Township and Beacon Animal Rescue in Upper Township.

"It's illegal. It's a crime. We want to know who did it. We want these people to know that they did something wrong," said Liam Hughes, Upper Township's animal control officer.

The three cats dumped in Ocean City had been crammed into small carriers. A note inside indicated that their owner had died, and similar notes were found with the cats dropped at the other facilities as well.

"Once we found out that the other ones -- all the same story, everybody left a note -- it has to be linked," Coyle said.

Authorities said it was highly unusual for people to abandon purebred cats. They want someone to step forward with information on where this group came from, and they also need people who can now care for them properly.

"They all need really good homes, really responsible people," Hughes said.

For more information on adopting these cats, click on the following links:

Cape May County Animal Shelter
Ocean City Humane Society