KETCHIKAN -- Animal control officials in Ketchikan found 53 cats, including one dead feline, in a woman's car as they met her at the ferry dock.

KRBD reports officials in Metlakatla tipped off the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Animal Protection Department about the woman and a large number of cats who had been escorted off Annette Island.

Ketchikan officials obtained a warrant and met her when the ferry Lituya arrived. A few of the cats escaped after biting and clawing animal control officers.

Animal Protection Director Kelly Ludwig-Johnson says several cats were pregnant, and have since given birth. The new mothers seem like nice cats, as do a few others.

But a majority are feral, and Ludwig-Johnson says they likely will be euthanized.