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Homes are being sought for a cat colony left alone after the man who fed them died in a house fire Sept. 30 on Sam James Road in Maryville.

The cats apparently came to his residence and he fed them outside and a colony of animals grew to approximately 50 after some had kittens.

Diane and David Hayden, who live in Country Meadows near Sam James Road, have been feeding the colony twice a day. Diane said concerned people have been dropping off food to help them feed the cats.

Veterinarian Dr. Bea Moody, who does house calls and is affiliated with Tri County Veterinarian Clinic on Boyds Creek Highway in Seymour, is willing to spay and neuter the cats for free. She has already spayed and neutered and vaccinated three cats and found homes for them. She now has nine other cats, four of which have guaranteed homes.

Apparently another veterinarian in the area and other citizens have also taken some of the cats. One cat had a broken leg, possibly after being hit by a car, and Moody took that cat Thursday to be treated.

She has tested the cats for feline AIDS and leukemia and found the cats to be healthy.

The cat colony is not feral (wild), and after getting used to people being around them the cats seem friendly.

"Many are skinny, but they are healthy. They are all domestic short hairs," Moody said.

There were 32 cats at feeding time Wednesday, but the Haydens counted 15 cats when they fed Friday so it is not known how many remain in the woods around the residence.

The colony included all types of cats -- tabby, black and white, gray and white, solid black, yellow, tiger striped, lots of calicos, tortoise shell and some are part-Bengal, Moody said.

"I just want to find them good homes. That's the least we can do for that man that died in the fire," Moody said.

Anyone able to provide homes or food for the cats can call the Haydens at 661-8861 or Moody at 661-1570 for more information.