Locals ‘heartbroken’ after discovering 27 neglected cats at empty house

Neighbours were left ‘heartbroken’ after discovering 27 neglected cats abandoned at an empty house.

Residents in a village near Boston, Lincolnshire, Sarah Wright and Kelly Game were devastated after finding the ’emaciated’ pets at the home in Furlong Road, Old Leake.

Sarah said the animals were in a very bad way and so ‘desperate for food that their bones, spine and ribs were clearly visible through their fur’. They were also riddled with flea bites.

They contacted RSPCA, but said the animal welfare charity ‘only took four or five of the felines because they did not have enough space’.

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However, RSPCA said they took the cats in the ‘worst condition’ and are planning to have the ‘issue resolved in the next week’.

Sarah and Kelly have planned a rescue mission to catch the rest and take them to the vets for treatment.

Sarah added: ‘It is absolutely heartbreaking. Kelly had shared a post on Facebook after spotting many cats outside her house and I wanted to help. Something had to be done. They are in an awful state.

‘The RSPCA only took four or five of the cats as they said they did not have enough space. We are hoping to catch the cats, especially the ones that look really ill and take them to the vets for treatment.

‘There’s about 27 cats, some riddled with fleas and flea bites and others very undernourished.’

The women claim the cats were left at the property after its previous tenant relocated.

Sarah continued: ‘We have no idea how long the cats have been left for. Locals say they have been taken food to them when they can.

‘Some cats have been run over outside the property and the others will not survive if they are left the way they are.’

The women have asked the vet if they will provide flea treatment and worming tablets to the animals for free but they are unsure if this will happen.

Sarah and Kelly say if the vet is unable to help they will have to fund all treatment out of their own pocket and may have to set up a fundraising page to help.

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Sarah is planning on temporarily homing some of the cats once they have been treated.

RSPCA inspector Becky Harper, who is dealing with the case, told Lincolnshire Live: ‘The cats are not abandoned and there is an ongoing investigation.

‘We have removed some of the cats – the ones that were in the worst condition.

‘We are working with the owner and expect to have the issue resolved in the next seven to 10 days.’