UPDATE: More '˜starving' and injured cats found dumped in remote area

The Cats Protection League in Sleaford has offered thanks to the 92 people who responded to their online appeal - raising £1,575 towards their care.

Last week, we reported the charity’s volunteers managed to catch 17 of the cats - with at least two still loose and in need of emergency medical care.

Today (Friday) - the branch confirms it has rescued three more - including one with a broken limb.

Sadly they also discovered two more dead - in addition to the five already found deceased.

The injured cat, named Bentley by volunteers, was believed to have been hit by a car, breaking his leg and sustaining scratches to his face. Vets have now amputated his leg and he is undergoing treatment to aid his overall recovery.

Along with Bentley, two other adult cats were recovered from the same site - including one which is pregnant. This now brings the number known to have been abandoned in the area to almost 30.

Louise Blackah, volunteer assistant co-ordinator for the charity, said: “We had a lot of calls from people who were concerned their missing cat was among those rescued - but none of the cats were microchipped or neutered, and we believe they all came from the same household.”

Speaking about the donations, she added: “It’s such a fantastic amount and we are so grateful for the continued support. We really couldn’t do what we do without people supporting us through appeals like this and various charity events throughout the year.

Others have handed donations of food to the branch.

Louise offered praise to Quarrington Veterinary Surgery for their part in helping the cats.

To donate to the appeal visit their Justgiving page.

Wednesday, March 30 -

A staggering 24 ‘starving and traumatised’ cats have allegedly been dumped in a remote area near Sleaford - with a local charity left to deal with the aftermath.

The Sleaford branch of the Cats Protection League has taken in 17 of the cats and is now desperately fundraising for their care.

Sadly, five of the animals are thought to have died since being left in an area off the A153 between Billinghay and Tattershall Bridge just before Easter. Two are yet to be caught.

Louise Blackah, assistant co-ordinator for the charity, explained: “We received a call from an elderly couple who said all these cats had suddenly turned up in their garden and had been trying to eat grain put out for ducks and geese.

“It became evident these cats were not a feral colony, but had been pets that may have been dumped in the nearby layby. The cats were all in a very poor condition and looked like they were starving. They clearly had not been fed properly for quite some time and had just been trying to survive on what they could find.

“Two of our wonderful volunteers, Karen and Mick, went out armed with food and traps and managed to catch 10 of them straight away because as soon as they opened the food pouches the cats ran over and were desperately eating out their hands.”

She added: “Over Easter we managed to catch some more - but at least two remain which we are desperate to catch as they are in a bad way and one appears to have a broken or lame leg.”

All the cats have had to be neutered and have received veterinary treatment for worms and other ailments - at a cost to the charity.

If you can help, even with a small donation, visit the charity’s Justgiving page.

For more on this story see next week’s newspaper.