Cat who had boiling water poured on him is adopted by the vet nurse who fell in love while treating his horrific injuries

Date published: 04 August 2023

Warning: graphic images

A cat who was subjected to a horror attack in which he had boiling water poured over him and was left in excruciating pain for five days has found a loving home in Rochdale - with the vet nurse who helped treat him.

The male cat called Benny had extensive scald wounds across his head, neck, shoulders, body and legs and was unable to walk on his feet which were also affected by the horrific burns.

The poor pet was left in excruciating pain for at least five days following the deliberate attack before he was rescued by the RSPCA and taken to Wendy Lane Vets in Rochdale for urgent treatment.

He later underwent six operations and was in the care of the charity for six months until he was ready to be rehomed.

The RSPCA is highlighting the plight of Benny as part of the charity’s Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign calling on the public to support more rescues like this and to raise awareness about how we can all help to stop cruelty to animals for good.

The animal welfare charity was called to an address in Greater Manchester during January 2020 following concerns from a member of the public who reported that Benny had been suffering from serious injuries for a number of days and had not been taken to a vet.

Inspector Catherine Byrnes rushed the injured pet to a nearby veterinary surgery.

The vet sedated him and clipped his coat which exposed the full extent of his wounds.

Staff worked hard to save his life after finding scalding across many different body regions, including his head, neck, right shoulder and side of the chest and some of the claws on his feet had fallen off. His wounds were cleaned and he was placed on a drip in an isolation pod to recover.

It was while he was getting treatment that vet nurse Katherine Gledhill fell for his charm as she was helping him.

She said: “I will never forget the moment he came in and the full extent of his injuries were revealed. He must have been in agonising pain it was so awful to see - but he was gentle and loving in spite of everything he has been through.

“He was just enjoying attention - such a sweet boy - I thought then and there if he survives I am going to give him a loving home.”

Benny’s initial treatment was a success but his full recovery was always going to be slow progress due to the extent of his injuries.

He had to have a further six months of treatment and was under the care of dedicated staff at the Rochdale and district branch of the RSPCA throughout this time.

The branch arranged for him to have a further six operations to remove traumatised skin tissue which would cause him to itch and would split his damaged skin - but once he was recovered he was rehomed with Katherine.

Benny is now loving life in his new home and has adapted well to his injuries which has meant he lost the tip of an ear. There were fears he may lose an eye but this was fortunately not the case. He also sometimes has to wear a special vest to stop him scratching his wounds.

Katherine, who lives in Rochdale, said: “He has settled so well - he is still quite nervous of men but he adores my partner Stefan Whaley - he is such a daddy’s boy.

“Benny loves being curled up with us and really enjoys his food as well as cuddles.

“I have a few jackets that he had to wear all the time at first to stop him itching the damaged skin but now he needs a jacket on less and less as things are improving so much and all his fur has grown back.

“His recovery was amazing and was all thanks to a team effort of dedicated people and I wholeheartedly support the RSPCA’s Cancel Out Cruelty fund-raising campaign.

Chan Taylor, animal centre manager at Rochdale and district branch of the RSPCA, said: “We are delighted with Benny’s progress and the fact he has found such a lovely forever home - he has definitely got the happy ending he deserves.

“He has had an amazing recovery from his life-threatening injuries. Staff at the branch cared for him for six months and we all really got attached to him as he has a lovely nature. He has had to endure lots of operations but all the hard work and dedication was so worthwhile when we have a fantastic outcome like this.”

The RSPCA has revealed that five cats a day are suffering at the hands of humans - with reports of cruelty to cats increasing by 25% last year.

Latest statistics show that in 2022, the number of reports made to the charity about intentional harm to cats was 1,726 - around five a day. This is up from 1,387 in 2021, an increase of 25%. Since 2016, there have been 17,938 reports of deliberate cruelty to cats.

In summer months cases of cruelty rise and the charity is braced for its busiest time of the year. Reports of alleged cruelty soar to 8,400 each month in the summer - a heartbreaking 274 reports every day.

Dermot Murphy, RSPCA inspectorate commissioner, said: “Right now, animal cruelty is happening in England and Wales on a massive scale and rising. Each year, it reaches its terrible annual peak in the summer months – when an animal is beaten on average every hour of every day. The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit. Please donate today to our Cancel Our Cruelty campaign.”

As the only charity in England and Wales investigating cruelty and rescuing animals, the RSPCA needs support to stay out on the frontline:

• £2 could help to provide a meal for a cat or dog in its care
• £6 could help pay to feed a dog for a day in its care
• £10 could help pay towards bandages for a cat or dog
• £15 could help pay for a cat or dog’s clinical exam
• £20 could help pay towards a bird catching kit
• £30 could help pay for a life jacket for an inspector
• £100 could help pay towards water rescue equipment
• £500 could kit out a 4x4 inspector van

The RSPCA’s frontline teams are working hard to rescue animals in need this summer but can't do it alone - they are asking for your help to Cancel Out Cruelty. To help support the RSPCA, visit: www.rspca.org.uk/cruelty

The Rochdale and district branch is part of the RSPCA family but is a self funded branch in its own right. To help them rehabilitate cats like Benny find out more here.