'Starving' cats responding to care after rescue

A cat rescue centre says nine cats rescued from a property are "responding to treatment very well".

The "truly starving" animals were rescued from a home in Chatham, Kent, according to Wisteria Cat Rescue.

The Rochester charity believes the cats were left alone in the property for two-and-a-half weeks without water and only minimal food.

Wisteria founder Billy Merchant-Devitt said the centre was "working on slowly building them back up" to health.

The charity said when the cats were found on Saturday the property's heating was "turned up as high as it would go" and "the bathroom door was closed, cutting off their only possible access to water".

It described the animals as "incredibly sweet, though understandably terrified and withdrawn".

Kittens found at the property did not survive.

Merchant-Devitt said the community response to the charity's social media appeal following the recue had been "absolutely incredible".

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