A Northern Irish cat rescue is appealing for help with veterinary bills after taking in two severely injured cats.
Rescue Cats NI said that in the past two days it has taken in one ginger cat in West Belfast following reports from a young girl that they had seen it with "half of its face hanging off".
After the cat was eventually rescued it was found to have a significant cut to its face along with a number of health issues and had to be taken quickly to the vets.
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Shortly after this another cat was rescued in Co Derry with a severe injury to its back after it had been abandoned at a property.
It is not known how both of the cats suffered their injuries, but it is believed they could have been attacked or trapped in a snare.
Speaking to Belfast Live, Lynsey Jones of Rescue Cats NI, said the two cats are currently in the vets receiving treatment, but their bills could cost thousands of pounds and the centre is already under pressure due to an increased number of sick and injured cats coming to them.
She said: "After rescuing the two cats this week we were horrified by the injuries that they both had and worked very quickly in order to get them to the vets to receive treatment and it is likely that they will be there for some time.
"In recent weeks we have been seeing more and more sick and injured cats coming to us, many of whom had been mistreated, and it is putting us under increased pressure with regards to our veterinary bills.
"At Rescue Cats NI we have a great team of volunteers who try to do all that we can to ensure that a cat is given a fighting chance and will keep them for as long as is necessary, but we rely on support from the public in order to continue our work caring for them.
"If anyone would be able to help us with the bills of our two most recent injured cats we would be very thankful and it will go a long way in giving these cats another chance in life."
If you are able to support Rescue Cats NI, you can do so at: https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8R7X1S8Jqc Or on paypal at rescuecatsni@hotmail.com.
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