Cat found close to death thrives in new home

A cat which was found starving and "close to death" has since thrived after being found a new home, an animal charity has said.

Cleo weighed only 3lbs (1.4kg) when she and several other cats were rescued from a property in West Yorkshire in January 2022, but within 17 days of being taken into care she had doubled in weight, according to the RSPCA.

Following the conclusion of a court case later, Cleo and feline friend Sindy found a new home together in York in December 2023.

Alice McMullan, who along with Henry Fern now cares for Cleo and Sindy, said: "I am just so glad we adopted them. They are gorgeous house cats who bring light into the home and are fabulous company."

The vet who treated the cats said all of them had been suffering for between two and three months before being discovered in West Yorkshire, an RSPCA spokesperson said.

Afer a concerned member of the public contacted the charity, officers visited the property.

Inspector Joanne Hartley, who rescued both Cleo and Sindy, said: "I clearly remember seeing how thin and weak Cleo was when we arrived.

"I was really concerned for her health, and that of a number of other cats she was living with, including Sindy.

"We rushed them all for veterinary treatment and I always remember when they were first offered food they ravenously ate it very quickly."

After that, all the cats were placed on a "healthy diet to help them gain weight - which they did very quickly", she added.

New owner Ms McMullan, 24, said both she and Mr Fern had grown up with cats and had "wanted to adopt one for company, really".

"We weren't initially going to adopt two, but the branch had paired them up as they got on so well - and I also knew they had been in RSPCA care so long that I really wanted to give them a proper home."

Despite it taking a while for the cats to come around to their new environment, Ms McMullan said a breakthrough moment came that Christmas.

"They both came and sat on our laps, which was the best gift we could have hoped for," she said.

Ms Hartley said it was great to see Cleo and Sindy thrive and were very different from the "terrified and clearly neglected" cats they had been when she had first met them.

"A responsible cat owner would have recognised their pets were not thriving and would have proactively sought professional help and advice, but this was not the case," she said.

"I am grateful to the member of the public who reported their concerns.

"It is always such a heart-warming feeling to see the transformation made by pets we rescue.

"I am delighted both cats are now loving life living in a new home with Alice and Henry, who clearly adore them."

According to the RSPCA, a woman was found guilty of two animal welfare offences in connection with the case and was banned from keeping animals.

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