A woman who failed to get veterinary treatment for 11 underweight Persian cats who were all suffering from a catalogue of health problems before being cared back to health in Warrington has had an appeal against her sentence dismissed.
Stephanie Neesam, aged 37, who advertised on Facebook under the name ‘Purrcise Persian’s,’ was banned from keeping cats for five years at a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates Court on 23 May last year after pleading guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The three male and eight female Persians – aged between 18 months to five years old – were seized by the police after they were found at Neesam’s home in Horsham Grove, North Shields, by an RSPCA Inspector in July 2023. Seven of the 11 cats were signed over by her during the course of the RSPCA’s investigation. They all recovered well at the charity’s Felledge Animal Centre near Chester-le-Street where they were cared for and then rehomed.
At the sentencing hearing, the court also made a deprivation order against the four cats that Neesam said she wanted back so she could breed from them, including her 18-month-old ginger ‘stud’ Harvey and three other female cats called Yolat, Sooty and Polly.
Neesam’s appeal against her sentence was heard at Newcastle Crown Court on 7 February and was dismissed.
It means the RSPCA can now legally rehome the four cats who have been looked after by foster carers from the RSPCA’s Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch for nearly 20 months.
Yolat in her foster home
RSPCA Inspector Helen Bestwick who investigated the case, said: “I’m delighted that after such a long time, we are now legally able to rehome Harvey, Yolat, Sooty and Polly.
“They were all nursed back to health by the fantastic team of fosterers at our Warrington Branch, who also funded their lengthy veterinary care. The before and after images of the cats speak for themselves and it’s great to see how happy and content they now look.”
When the Persian cats were discovered at Neesam’s home they were all showing moderate to severe signs of cat flu and had fleas, faeces-matted coats, urine-stained paws, painful eyes, dirty ears, poor teeth and impaired breathing. The vet who examined them said they had been suffering in a dirty environment for a minimum of two months.
During the investigation, Neesam told Inspector Bestwick that she used to breed Persians but had stopped the previous year, despite a Facebook post from May 2003 showing pictures of Harvey who she described as her “new stud for next year.”
The young cat was found in her house two months later with laboured breathing, a matted coat, faeces and urine-stained feet and infected eyes.
A vet who gave evidence in the case said all of the cats were underweight, poorly muscled, extremely dirty and matted. She said the filthy environment had made it impossible for them to keep themselves clean, something which cats are meticulous about.
Sooty in her foster home
Neesam had failed to protect the animals from disease and suffering and the overcrowding, poor hygiene and lack of isolation facilities had allowed cat flu to spread contagiously and affect all of the felines to some extent, said the vet.
She concluded that the duration of suffering was a minimum of two months but quite probably longer for at least some of the cats, and this could have been avoided if Neesam had provided a vaccination programme, veterinary healthcare, hygiene measures and suitable housing.
The court was told that Neesam didn’t agree her cats were underweight as they were “fed freely,” although she admitted she was struggling with numbers and had only wanted to keep four or five, but hadn’t contacted anyone for help.
The RSPCA says the case highlights the importance of choosing a responsible breeder carefully
Inspector Bestwick added: “Of course, we would always encourage anyone thinking of welcoming a cat into their family to consider rescuing one as there are hundreds of beautiful cats waiting to be adopted in animal centres up and down the country.
“For people who still have their heart set on a pedigree cat we would urge them to do their homework and choose a breeder carefully to ensure they are getting a happy, healthy pet and not supporting people who put profit before welfare.”
Neesam’s sentence on 23 May 2024 in full:
1. 18 month community order with 15 days rehabilitation activity
2. £300 costs
3. £114 victim support surcharge
4. A deprivation order made in respect of 4 cats
5. Disqualification of keeping cats for a period of 5 years with a restriction order on applying to remove disqualification
