An animal charity rescued 15 cats from a "hoarding" home - with some creatures found living under floorboards and in their own excrement.

Oak Tree Animals’ Charity has been working to provide medical care and regain the trust of the felines, and is now looking to rehome each of the cats.

The youngest animal was just 18-months-old, while the eldest is thought to be about eight.

A spokeswoman for the Wetheral-based charity said: "They were found to be underweight with some matted coats and parasite issues.

"Many were very shy and nervous around humans due to being undersocialised and all were extremely hungry."

Oak Tree's community team was alerted to the situation and managed to catch all of the cats in the city home, before taking them to a vets to be health checked.

The small animal team has since been caring for the cats, ensuring they are flea and worm treated, vaccinated and neutered.

Staff and volunteers have also been working to reassure and socialise the animals in preparation for finding loving new homes.

Fortunately, eight of the rescues have already been found their forever families, but the charity is desperately looking for help in finding homes for the remaining seven.
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Becky Lowis, community engagement supervisor, explained: "Sadly, we often come across situations such as this where the owner is trying their best to look after their pets but the numbers have simply got out of control.

"In this situation we were able to work with our partners in social services to help both the cats and their owners.

"We are now looking for people within our community who are willing to give these wonderful cats the second chance they all deserve.”

For more information about how to rehome an animal from Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, visit www.oaktreeanimals.org.uk or call 01228 560082.