KETCHIKAN -- A woman who had 53 cats in her car when stopped by Ketchikan police is facing thousands of dollars in citations.

The Ketchikan Daily News says the animal protection office has filed a complaint against the Metlakatla woman for inhumane treatment of an animal and failure to provide rabies immunizations.

The situation came to the attention of authorities on Aug. 10. Ketchikan officials met the woman when the ferry arrived from Annette Island and found she had 53 cats, including a dead newborn kitten.

The animals were seized, and the woman continued on to Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Authorities say if she returns, she could have to pay $13,150 in citations. Many of the cats were feral and determined to be unfit for adoption.