14. The Edies Lived With Hundreds of Stray Animals
In the 25 years that the Edies lived together in Grey Gardens, they became incredibly reclusive with neither of them leaving the estate often. As the gardens began to overtake the properties and the walls started to crumble around them, the two women began taking in an increasing number of stray cats. One report states they lived with as many as 75 cats! The numerous cats had free reign of their house, including using any room they wished as a litter box.
Cat feces were found in nearly every room in the massive mansion. During a scene in Grey Gardens, Little Edie can be seen laughing as a cat urinates behind a portrait of herself as a young girl. The private buyers that purchased the home in 1979 reported finding 52 dead cats throughout the property.
When the Suffolk County Health Department inspected the property in 1971, the professionals found garbage strewn throughout the entire home. Unsurprisingly, with the vast filth and cat feces, wild animals also began to invade the house. The dirty space, combined with the numerous holes in the roof, allowed raccoons, possums, and rodents to make a home of the Grey Gardens. It is believed the two women were aware of the raccoons and possums and peacefully coexisted with them.