Heartless owners abandoned 25 cats and kittens after moving out of their "dingy" Merseyside flat.
Inspectors from the RSPCA were called out to a rented property in Birkenhead on April 16, after concerns were raised about pets who had been left behind after the owners moved out. Over the course of three days, a total of 25 cats and kittens were recovered - aged from one-week to four-years-old.
All the pets were infested with fleas and two young kittens had sadly died of flea anaemia in the property - as the fleas had drained so much iron from their blood.
READ MORE: Man stabbed 12 times by thug just metres from busy music festival
Inspector Lisa Lupson, who helped to capture the cats, said: “Whatever situation someone finds themselves in, abandoning animals is never okay. It was lucky that a neighbour spotted this situation and alerted us but there’s no guarantee that animals will be found when they are left like this and they would have been suffering from the flea infestations.
“They were living in filthy conditions with no food and water and were terrified. Sadly two of the kittens died from flea anaemia as their tiny bodies could not cope."
She added: “We believe the owners probably started with a few unneutered cats and then the breeding got out-of-control and then they ended up with this situation and we are left to pick up the pieces as they walked away and left them. Or enquiries are ongoing to see if we can trace the owner.
“This goes to show how important it is for owners to get their cats neutered at the earliest opportunity. 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 animals were taken to the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA where they were all given flea treatment and are now being nursed back to health - including a mum - named by staff as Tulip - and her son and daughter who are one week-old.
Kay Hawthorn, the branch manager, 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.
“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 have come round and while some have been rehomed we are looking for suitable homes for the remaining cats in our care who are a bit timid but with a bit of time will gain confidence."
The RSPCA is highlighting this rescue as part of the charity’s Cancel Out Cruelty campaign which calls on the public to support its frontline rescuers to help them continue their vital work. Newly released figures from the charity show that a staggering seven cats a day suffer at the hands of humans with nearly 18,000 cat cruelty complaints being reported to their helpline in 2021.
The animal welfare charity is braced for one of the toughest summers it’s ever faced and is concerned that with the increase in pet ownership and the cost of living crisis putting a strain on people’s finances, more animals will be coming into its care during the next few months.
Some of the cats rescued from the Birkenhead flat have found loving homes but others are still available - Klaus and Kai, Elijah and Angelo, Pip and Skittles and also Dipsy -and you can view them here.
To help support the RSPCA, click here.
READ NEXT:
Mum issues deadly quarry demand after losing knee in horror 40ft fall
Undercover police officer 'infiltrates Scouse cocaine cartel'
Parents put newborn son in cot covered in frozen peas after he died
Beauty queen told police burglars had stolen her car after 4am crash
Mum and dad fined after 'top of the year' pupil misses school
