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CATS SAVED FROM 'FILTHY' HOUSE CAN BE RE-HOMED

BY GEMMA PEPLOW 10 May 2008 More than 30 cats rescued from a "filthy, squalid" house almost a year ago are finally ready to be re-homed. The 38 cats were taken by the RSPCA from the home of Victor Matevos, who lives in Milton Crescent, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, in June and July last year. A court case heard they had been living in "appallingly dirty conditions" and were suffering from several health problems because they had been allowed to interbreed, but following the care of the RSPCA they are now ready to be re-homed. Acting branch manager Lisa Smith said: "They've been on medication and have been treated for absolutely everything. "They're certainly looking a lot better than when we first picked them up. "We're ideally looking for people to adopt a pair, as they're used to living in such a big social group. If people already have a cat, we would be happy to re-home a single one, but I think to take one by itself now, after spending so much time in a huge colony, would be a little unfair. They have all been through a lot." RSPCA inspectors were forced to wear face masks to breathe during the rescue because the house smelled so strongly of cat urine and faeces, and was so full of rubbish - including a dead cat - the carpet could not be seen. Because Matevos, 59, refused to give up the cats, and because he appealed against convictions of cruelty, the pets have been in a cattery while legal proceedings have dragged on. However, earlier this month, Matevos lost his appeal against paying the costs, and has now been ordered to hand over 45,160 to the RSPCA. The dismissal means the cats are now able to be re-homed, and staff at the charity's Woodside Centre, in Scudamore Road, had a busy morning getting them settled yesterday. Volunteer Karen Goldthorpe, who helps out at the centre once a week, had the job of thinking up names for all the pets as they arrived. She said: "I write the comment cards. It's just so there's a little story to go with each one so when people come in, they've got something to guide them. "There's a lovely ginger one, who I've called Mango, and we've got a pair of old females, who I've called Rose and Lily." Although Matevos's appeal against paying costs was unsuccessful, he is still appealing against convictions of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a cat, three of failing to provide a clean and healthy living environment for cats and two of keeping cats while disqualified. RSPCA inspector Sally Kearns said she was just relieved the cats can now be re-homed to loving families. She said: "We just need people to come and reserve them now." Cattery assistant Tracey Hutchins is now looking after the animals. She said: "They are a bit nervous, but they were obviously going to be. I think they will make lovely pets."

Anyone who is interested in re-homing any of the cats should call the Woodside cattery on 0116 224 2437.