Cats saved from house of horror

Eight cats have been rescued from horrific conditions after they were left alone when their owner died.
Christine Meryem from Tender Paws Cat Rescue with one of the 11 cats that were rescuedChristine Meryem from Tender Paws Cat Rescue with one of the 11 cats that were rescued
Christine Meryem from Tender Paws Cat Rescue with one of the 11 cats that were rescued

Volunteers from Tender Paws cat sanctuary discovered the cats terrified and crawling with fleas inside an empty flat on Lytham Road last week, four months after their elderly owner had died.

Tender Paws founder Christine Meryem said: “These cats are traumatised. You can’t handle them at all.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The cats had been trapped inside for months, and only survived thanks to a neighbour, who had a key, who fed them dry cat biscuits.

Nine cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham RoadNine cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road
Nine cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road

Three of the female cats were found to be pregnant, with one of them later having to undergo an operation to remove the unborn kittens as they had died in her womb.

Christine said: “The fellow who owned them passed away and left the cats.

“The man who lives in the flat below came to the shop and asked for help because the landlord said they had to go.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The stench was appalling. There was animal faeces everywhere.

Cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham RoadCats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road
Cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road

“It was so bad you could hardly breathe.

“It was full of rubbish and it was total squalor. The cats were running around and ripping up the carpets and the seats.”

Tender Paws initially rescued nine cats from the property, however, a kitten estimated to be between 10 and 12-days-old died one week after being found in a cardboard box at the flat.

The remaining eight pets, of varying ages, are now being looked after by experienced foster families.

Cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham RoadCats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road
Cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road

Christine said: “They are being checked every day.

“They’re very, very timid.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tender Paws volunteer Liam Richards, who also attended the scene, said: “When me and Christine went into the flat, you couldn’t describe it. It was horrible.

“Being a cat rescue we do get asked to take in unwanted cats, but nothing as bad as this. They are all underweight and malnourished.

Nine cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham RoadNine cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road
Nine cats rescued from filthy, abandoned flat on Lytham Road

“I’m very shocked they managed to survive.

“The cats are still shaken and extremely nervous but hopefully they will make a full recovery.”

The landlord of the flat where the cats were living did not wish to comment.

Related topics: