MESA, Ariz. (AP) — A woman has been found dead in her suburban Phoenix home, where she lived with about 50 cats.

Maricopa County sheriff's deputies were forced to wear breathing equipment to enter the residence in Mesa, Ariz., early Tuesday. They had been called to check on the 64-year-old woman, whose name wasn't immediately released.

It's unclear how long the woman had been dead, but authorities say she apparently died of natural causes.

Sheriff's officials say it appears the woman was a hoarder and the home was in poor condition.

The sheriff's office and the Humane Society are trying to rescue as many cats as possible and decide where to keep them.