A Warrington-based animal rescue charity has issued an urgent appeal for information after two cats from an overcrowded home in Widnes died in circumstances which have raised suspicions of deliberate poisoning.
The Warrington Animal Welfare charity was called in last week to help at a property in Egypt Street, Widnes, where more than 30 unneutered cats were reportedly living.
A plan was put in place to neuter the cats and gradually move them into rescue, with two cats being removed at a time because of limited space and the charity’s existing demands for help.
But the situation took a devastating turn when Poppy, a two-year-old tortoiseshell cat, was brought into the charity’s care as a medical emergency.
She arrived collapsed and suffering seizures.
Despite the best efforts of veterinary staff, tests showed extremely high levels of toxicity in her blood. The charity said the results led vets to suspect that Poppy had been deliberately poisoned.
Sadly, she could not be saved and was put to sleep to end her suffering.
Concern for the remaining cats immediately increased and a decision was made to remove them from the property as quickly as possible.
When rescuers arrived, they made another distressing discovery.
Sylvie, a seven-month-old kitten who was due to enter the charity’s care, was found dead in bushes at a neighbouring property.
Her body has been sent for a post-mortem examination and toxicology testing amid concerns that she may also have been poisoned.
The charity said the owner subsequently revealed that two more cats had been found dead the previous week.
Several other cats from the property are also currently missing.
The rescue team is now appealing to anyone living in the Egypt Street area who may have information about what has happened to contact them in confidence so the information can be passed to the relevant authorities.
The charity said: *“It seems that there is a very disturbed individual in this area of Widnes who believes that purposely poisoning innocent cats and kittens is OK.”
It warned that poisoning can cause a painful and distressing death and urged cat owners in the area to remain vigilant until more is known.
The charity has taken 26 additional cats into its care and said volunteers have stepped forward to foster some of its existing animals to create the necessary space.
It also paid tribute to its volunteers, staff and veterinary team who worked late to help the cats.
The circumstances surrounding the deaths have not been established and the suspected poisoning remains subject to veterinary toxicology testing and any investigation by the relevant authorities.
Anyone with information about the deaths or missing cats is urged to contact the rescue charity directly in confidence so that information can be passed to the appropriate authorities via
info@warringtonanimalwelfare.org.uk
