RSPCA and Cats Protection officers have rescued 23 cats from "difficult conditions" after their owner died and concerns were raised for the health of the animals.
The cats were found in a home near Swansea, after the owner's family contacted the volunteer-run Swansea branch of Cats Protection asking for help.
All of the animals, which were kept for breeding purposes, needed veterinary care when they were found and many will require long-term treatment, according to Ann Clements from Swansea Cats Protection.
A Facebook post from the group after the rescue said: "They will certainly need a lot of TLC before they are available for homing".
Ten of the cats are being cared for by Swansea Cats Protection volunteers with the remainder in the care of the RSPCA.
"We’re extremely grateful that the family contacted us so swiftly after they discovered the cats. All 23 need veterinary attention and many will have long-term medical requirements. Ten of the cats are with us at the branch and the rest have been placed at RSPCA centres by Paula [Milton - local RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer]," said Ann.
"Together we have managed to ensure the cats will receive the care they so badly need but it needn’t have got to this state. We would always encourage people to reach out to us if they are struggling. The cats have a range of ailments and sadly some have gone blind because eye infections were untreated."
Cats Protection’s senior advocacy and government relations officer, Madison Rogers, added: "Currently, breeders in Wales are unregulated but Cats Protection is calling on the Welsh Government to improve laws around cat breeding and selling.
"This would help to ensure breeders are required to meet specific standards of welfare while cats are in their care and would help prevent situations like this developing in the future."
Anyone wishing to help towards the cats’ care can make a donation via Cats Protection Swansea Branch’s JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/swansecatsprotection-justgiving or send a gift using the branch’s Amazon Wishlist: http://bit.ly/SwanseaWishlist
An RSPCA spokesperson said: "At what is clearly a difficult time for the family, we are pleased to have worked closely with Cats Protection’s Swansea Branch to rescue 23 cats from difficult conditions.
"It's a good example of what we can do working in partnership for animal welfare, and we look forward to hopefully securing loving new homes for these cats."
