A North Shields woman, banned from keeping animals, loses appeal to reclaim four cats after being convicted of neglect.
Stephanie Neesam sold cats on Facebook under “Purrcise Persian’s”. A vet stated the cats suffered in a dirty home for at least two months. They had many health problems.
The cats were found in July 2023. They showed cat flu signs, some severe, and all had fleas and matted coats. Their paws were urine-stained, eyes and ears were dirty, they had bad teeth and impaired breathing.
Before that, she was banned from owning dogs in April 2022. Her bullmastiff, Viper, suffered for months without seeing a vet for its tumor. Viper also had a skin condition and lost weight.
Neesam was banned from keeping cats for five years at a court hearing last May. She signed over seven cats during the investigation, which was conducted by the RSPCA.
The cats recovered at Felledge Animal Centre and were rehomed afterwards. The court blocked Neesam from getting four cats back, as she wanted to breed from them. “Harvey” and three others were involved.
Newcastle Crown Court heard Neesam’s appeal on February 7 and dismissed it right away. The RSPCA can now rehome the four cats, who have been cared for by foster carers for twenty months.
RSPCA Inspector Helen Bestwick investigated the case and is delighted to rehome the cats after so long. Warrington Branch fosterers nursed them back to health and funded the vet care.
The cats’ before and after pictures tell a story. They now look very happy and content.