Persian cats confiscated from a breeder in Kempton Park in April have died or been humanely euthanised after suffering from serious health conditions, according to Kempton Park SPCA Senior Inspector Duan Coetzee.

The cats were removed from the property after SPCA inspectors allegedly found them living in conditions that were in contravention of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

Following their confiscation, the animals received ongoing veterinary treatment, medication and supportive care.

However, Coetzee said the cats had been diagnosed with multiple serious illnesses and were severely compromised.

“Despite the best efforts of our team and the veterinarians treating them, their bodies were simply too weak and severely compromised to recover,” said Coetzee.

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Some of the cats died while receiving veterinary care.

Coetzee said that when the remaining cats stopped responding to treatment and their conditions continued to deteriorate, the decision was made, following veterinary guidance, to humanely euthanise them to prevent further suffering.

“This was not a decision made easily or without exhausting every reasonable treatment option. We desperately wanted a different outcome for these beautiful cats,” he said.

The animals were initially confiscated during an inspection of the property in April.

According to Coetzee, inspectors had previously issued the owner with a formal warning and instructed them to obtain veterinary treatment for the animals and improve their living conditions.

On April 14, Coetzee, accompanied by the SPCA’s operations manager and trainee inspector Javone Lewis, returned to the property with a warrant.

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Coetzee said the follow-up inspection found that no effort had been made to improve the conditions, resulting in the animals being removed from the property and taken for veterinary treatment.

A Border Collie found at the property was also reportedly suffering from serious health problems and was later humanely euthanised due to the severity of its condition.

The legal case relating to the conditions in which the animals were allegedly kept and the alleged failure to provide necessary veterinary care is continuing through the courts.

“Our fight for justice is not over,” said Coetzee.

He said the decision to euthanise the remaining cats was made only after treatment options had been exhausted and there was no reasonable prospect of recovery.

“Although their lives ended far too soon, they spent their final days receiving the care, comfort and compassion they had always deserved. They were no longer alone, and they were surrounded by people who fought for them until the very end,” said Coetzee.

The Kempton Park SPCA urged members of the public to report suspected animal cruelty or neglect to their nearest SPCA.