Port Talbot cat rescuers in court over filthy animal sanctuary

In the house there were bags of rubbish filled with cat litter

Two men have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after 24 cats at their animal sanctuary were kept in filthy conditions.

Martin Clowes, 55, and Gavin Cromwell, 42, who ran Jemima's Place, pleaded guilty to failing to meet the needs of the animals.

The RSPCA was called to the property in Port Talbot after it caught fire.

There they found the property was covered in faeces with rubbish bags filled with cat litter.

Warning: This story contains details and images of animal cruelty

A total of 11 cats were found dead in the property. The 13 cats that were found alive were taken into RSPCA care.

The RSPCA was called to the property by firefighters who had put out a blaze at the house in Pyle Road, Margam.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Paula Milton was told by a neighbour that the owner had opened a rescue called Jemima's Place.

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Ms Milton said when she entered the property in March 2023 the smell of urine and faeces was "overpowering the smell of smoke".

"I went to go up the stairs and the stairs were covered in cat faeces, at the top of the stairs there were two dead cats in the upstairs hall," she said.

"Also in the hall there were more black rubbish bags full of soiled cat litter, there was faeces and rubbish all over the floor."

Ms Milton said Mr Clowes did not live at the house but he visited a few times a day to feed the cats.

Eleven cats were found dead at the property and a further 13 were taken into RSPCA care

Three cats were removed by the RSPCA on the day of the fire and two were taken to a vets in Bridgend.

They found the bodies of 11 cats in the property. After the fire, the RSPCA caught a further four cats.

The next day, the RSPCA met Mr Clowes who said there were four more cats that had been in the fire.

Mr Clowes and Mr Cromwell, both of Tyn-Y-Celler, Water Street, Margam, were sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months at Swansea Magistrates' Court.

They were also banned from keeping all animals for 10 years and were each ordered to pay £300 in costs and a victim surcharge of £54.

The court heard the two men had good intentions but lost control, and now have regret and remorse.

The 13 cats have since been rehomed.