Shocking pics show filthy, flea-infested home where 25 cats were abandoned and kittens were born inside sofa cushions
TWENTY five poorly cats and kittens were found abandoned in a dingy flat after owners moved out.
RSPCA rescuers were shocked to find the bumper brood who had been left with no food or water and were hiding behind furniture.
Some of the moggies were even living in the sofa and it’s believed some kittens were born inside the cushions.
This summer The Sun is highlighting the invaluable work of the RSPCA, the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty.
In July and August, the number of calls to its hotline shoot up. Every day, the charity expects to receive 4,322 calls from members of the public alerting them to incidences of beating, poisoning, abandonment and neglect – that’s three EVERY MINUTE.
It took three days and three RSPCA inspectors to safely capture all the pets at the home in Merseyside after a neighbour alerted the charity.
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The animals, who were all infested with fleas when they were found on April 16th, were aged from one-week-old kittens to four-year-old cats.
Sadly two kittens died of flea anaemia, a condition in which the infestation drains so much iron from the animal’s blood.
Inspectors Emma Dingley, Lisa Lupson and Helen Smith took the felines to the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA where they were nursed back to health.
Branch manager Kay Hawthorn said: “All the cats and kittens were in such a mess. They were flea-infested and filthy and obviously very hungry so we got to work helping them straight away.
HELP US CANCEL OUT CRUELTY THIS SUMMER
THE SUN is joining forces with the RSPCA to stamp out cruelty against animals.
Every day this summer, the animal welfare charity expects to receive 4,322 calls from members of the public alerting them to incidences of beating, poisoning, abandonment and neglect – that’s three EVERY MINUTE.
Dermot Murphy, Chief Inspectorate Officer at the RSPCA, said: “We are a nation of animal lovers and no one wants to think of an animal being cruelly treated but sadly the reality is that every day animals are victims of deliberate cruelty and thankfully the RSPCA is there to help them. “
The RSPCA is the only charity rescuing animals and investigating cruelty.
You can help their work by donating to support their frontline rescue teams, so they can help reach and care for animals in need.
Just £6 can help feed a dog in the charity’s care for a day, while £10 could pay for bandages for a cat or dog.
You can help by donating at www.rspca.org.uk/crueltystop.
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“They were terrified and it is clear they had not had much human interaction so we are working with them now to help them overcome this fear. Despite this, they are all so beautiful and have lovely temperaments.
“With some patience and love they will come round and make gorgeous pets and we are looking for suitable homes for them now.”
The charity believes the vast number of animals was down to out-of-control breeding.
Inspector Lisa Lupson said: “Whatever situation someone finds themselves in, abandoning animals is never okay.
“We believe the owners probably started with a few unneutered cats and then the breeding got out-of-control and they ended up with this situation and we are left to pick up the pieces as they walked away and left them.
“This goes to show how important it is for owners to get their cats neutered at the earliest opportunity.
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“Not only does this prevent any unwanted litters and an increase in the ever-growing cat population, it also benefits the health and wellbeing of the cat.”
The charity is trying to track down the owner.