Man takes 76 cats to rescue centre in car before handing over 112 in total
Rescuers were faced with an extraordinary scene when a distressed man arrived with dozens of cats crammed into his car, before a desperate plea for help led to 112 animals being taken into care.
A cat rescue charity was left STUNNED after a man turned up with 76 felines crammed into the back of his car – before revealing he had even MORE at home.
The desperate individual arrived at Hector's House Cat Rescue in Torquay, Devon, telling staff he simply "can't do it" anymore and needed them to take the animals. But rescuers were horrified by what they found inside the vehicle.
A crate packed with cats was piled high in the boot, while other felines were loose in the footwells and even perched on the dashboard. Staff immediately launched into a frantic rescue operation, "wrangling" between 20 and 30 loose cats and securing them safely in carriers. They then began carefully removing the animals from the overcrowded crate, counting a staggering 76 cats in total.
But the shock did not end there. After speaking to the distressed owner, the team discovered there were even more cats at his property. A second operation was organised on November 8, taking the total number rescued to an astonishing 112.
Founder Zara Oldfield, 58, said: "In front of our rescue manager was a very upset person. He said 'I just can't do it anymore, I need you to take these cats'." She said some of the animals at the bottom of the crate appeared unwell, while others were struggling with breathing difficulties.
The charity, which already had 60 cats in its care, called on the RSPCA and other rescue organisations for help. The RSPCA took 47 cats to different branches, while Margaret Green Animal Rescue in Tavistock accepted another 16. All the animals have since been neutered, microchipped, flea and parasite treated, and health checked with help from two veterinary practices. Remarkably, most were found to be in relatively good condition, although many were grubby and underweight.
Five cats have been returned to their owner after being neutered and microchipped, while 44 remain in the charity's care. Zara said: "He's made the right decision. It's not just the cat that needed help. The owner needed help desperately."
The charity is now looking for loving homes for the rescued animals. Anyone interested in adopting can visit Hector's House Cat Rescue.