The RSPCA has rescued 50 cats found living in unsuitable conditions at a Rhondda Cynon Taf property.
The RSPCA rescued 35 cats on October 2023 and another 15 in February 2024 from the same Mountain Ash property.
Many of them were kept and crammed in metal cages which were full of cat faeces and urine.
The occupants of the Pentwyn Avenue address had previously been banned from keeping cats by the courts.
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Mountain Ash woman charged following mistreatment of cats
Pauline Perry, 57, of High Street, Mountain Ash appeared at Merthyr Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 31.
She faced four offences under the Animal Welfare Act, pleading guilty to two and found guilty on another two.
The offences were related to:
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A breach of an animal ban given to Perry by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on August 23, 2023 which meant she was disqualified from keeping all four legged animals for a period of four years
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Causing unnecessary suffering to a black male cat by failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care and attention for his lesions
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Failing to take such steps to ensure the needs of 35 cats were met
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Failing to ensure the needs of 15 cats were met
At sentencing on November 29 (2024) Perry was handed a lifetime disqualification order for all animals.
She was also handed a 10-week custodial sentence which was suspended for 12 months (on the condition she resides at her home address).
Angel and Rosie were rescued from a multi-animal home earlier this year.
When Belinda saw them on Facebook, it was love at first sight! She drove 300+ miles to adopt the bonded pair 😻
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RSPCA inspector tells of “distressing” scenes upon rescuing cats
During the trial the court heard from RSPCA Deputy Chief Inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper who attended the Pentwyn Avenue property.
She made multiple visits to the property, the first of which was on September 28, 2023 after the RSPCA received reports Perry was keeping multiple cats despite being disqualified.
There was no reply at the address so DCI Cooper posted a disqualification order leaflet along with a form outlining the reports and explaining if any help was required rehoming the cats to make contact.
She returned on October 18, with fellow RSPCA Inspector Neill Manley and Cynon Taf Community Housing Group (CTCHG) officers.
DCI Copper recounted: “I walked into the back garden of Pentwyn Avenue and saw adult cats crammed in black metal cages which were full of cat faeces and urine.
“Although there was an obvious attempt to hide these crates with blankets and branches, the cats were still being rained on and the blankets inside the crates were soaking wet.
“Both the crates and the cats smelt very strongly of cat urine, the smell was extremely strong, despite being outside.
“Some of the cats looked underweight, some had urine stains on their feet and legs and some were matted with what looked and smelt like cat faeces.
“It was obvious to me these cats have been kept in these conditions for a period of time and it hadn’t just happened.
“Many of the cats were clearly distressed, they were crying and were jumping up at the side of the crates in an attempt to get out.”
Most of the cats at the Mountain Ash address were crammed into metal cages which were full of faeces and urine. (Image: RSPCA) They also discovered cats in the cupboard under the stairs, despite Perry being advised “time and time again” to not keep cats in cupboards or cages.
DCI Cooper continued: “There was no light in the cupboard and it was small and dirty.
“I opened the cupboard door and there was a ginger and white cat, standing on the shelf.”
There were a number of cats found locked in a cupboard under the stairs. (Image: RSPCA) The RSPCA was given permission to remove the cats and they were transferred from the cages into cat carriers.
On that occasion 35 cats were removed and taken to the RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic to be assessed.
DCI Cooper said she returned to the property on February 9, 2024 with South Wales Police after once again receiving calls about cats at the property.
She explained: “As I entered the kitchen I saw crates and cat carriers full of cats. I could not believe my eyes.”
DCI Copper added it wasn’t just because Perry had been disqualified from keeping cats but due to the “dirty conditions” they were being kept in.
Perry agreed to sign over the cats and they were removed and placed in RSPCA carriers. After removing these they asked if there were any more cats elsewhere and they were told no.
However, three more cats were found in the cupboard under the stairs, making a total of 15 cats.
Most of the cats have now found a new “loving” home since being rescued by the RSPCA. (Image: RSPCA) DCI Cooper continued: “The majority of the cats were urine stained and had faecal matting in their coat.
“There were no litter trays provided apart from one which contained no substrate and was piled high with faeces and urine.
“None of the cats had access to water and they were all lying in their own faeces and urine.”
These cats were also taken to RSPCA Merthyr Tydfil Veterinary Clinic to be assessed.
In an additional witness statement, DCI Cooper said she has been an Inspector since 2010 and has attended the Pentwyn Avenue property around 40-50 times.
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Upon assessment, one cat who was found with a tumour on his tail and sadly had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice.
The other cats required little vet treatment and simply required a good wash, flea and worm treatments and socialisation.
Following the case, DCI Cooper said: “The cats were so programmed to being kept in cages it took them a while to get used to having the space to walk around and play.
“However, once they got used to that and some socialisation, they came on leaps and bounds and we are very happy to have found them loving homes.”