Hordes of cats fight for life in locked house in Japan after owner admitted to hospital

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - An army of cats was left unattended in untidy surroundings, battling the hot summer without water, after a Japanese animal lover, their caretaker, fell ill and was hospitalized.

Gunma Wan Nyan Network, an animal welfare organization, counted some 170 cats that were under the care of the man in his 60s in the Takasaki area of eastern Japan’s Gunma province.

“Many of the cats were emaciated … The windows of the house were closed and that the smell of ammonia from excrement was overpowering when members entered the house in early September,” the group said, according to a report on Monday by Tokyo-based Kyodo News.

The caretaker fell ill in early August and was hospitalized.

After the group visited the house, they found newborn kittens, some of whom were injured.

Some cats have been taken by the group for protection but the network is also looking for donations and sponsors to meet cat care expenses.

“The owner is recovering, and the animal welfare group will take care of the cats on a volunteer basis until he is discharged from the hospital and can look after the cats again,” it said.