Ty Nant Cat Sanctuary Broken Into

A well known cat sanctuary in Port Talbot has been broken into, animals have been released and some have been killed.  The incident took place  Saturday evening (30th July).

In a statement released by Ty Nant the staff said:
“We are deeply saddened to inform you all that tonight the sanctuary has been the victim of a terrible attack. An 18 and 15 year old has been caught unclear if more involved. Our room that we have our older cats reside in has been broken into and most of the cats that we had there are now missing/stolen. One cat was found killed in the lane, and only one other has been found and returned.
“All our hard work and love that we have shown these cats has been devastated by this malicious attack.Teresa, Nicky and the rest of the team are heartbroken by this.
“We would ask for any information from the public and our friends who follow and support us, to contact us or the police.’
The staff at Ty Nant are unable to release all of the details surrounding the break in, although they have said that some cats have been found killed ‘in the most cruel way you could imagine’ and that 3 were found hidden in a cage still alive but hidden in a trench with ferns covering it.
They also said that the response from the public and the police has been ‘fantastic’ and ‘amazing’.  …‘they have showed respect to how hurt and angry we are . They are and have been amazing, searching walking the fields and coming back time and time again. They too were visibly disgusted with it all,’
In another social media post, a team member said:
‘As one of the volunteers at Ty-Nant, I would’ve liked to have been able to show you photographs of the three cats we have discovered deceased following the horrific events from the previous night. Obviously as there is an on-going investigation into this I cannot.
The injuries they had sustained has left all of us heartbroken and angry. That any human being could knowingly inflict such harm and suffering on a defenceless animal is beyond reason’

In response to this tragedy a go fund me page has been set up and at the time of writing £9,245 has been raised, far exceeding their initial £1000 goal to help with repairs and the veterinary bills associated with this criminal act.
https://www.gofundme.com/2ha4y44
Established in June 1990, Ty Nant Cat Sanctuary is a small, independent, not-for-profit organisation based in Cymmer, Port Talbot.   They were established in response to the problem of unwanted, stray and abandoned cats within the area.
Since then hundreds of cats & kittens have passed through their care. Most have been successfully re-homed but others due to their temperament or illness have stayed at Ty-Nant.
Their main aim is to rescue unwanted and abandoned cats and kittens, domestic and feral, and where possible find them suitable forever homes
In response to this tragedy a go fund me page has been set up and at the time of writing £15,000 has been raised, far exceeding their initial £1000 goal to help with repairs and the veterinary bills associated with this criminal act.
https://www.gofundme.com/2ha4y44
You can find out more about the work that Ty Nant Cat Sanctuary does on their facebook page here.  https://www.facebook.com/tynantcatsanctuary/

Update: 2nd August 2016:

An 18 year old man has appeared in court at Swansea yesterday and charged with two counts of burglary and causing suffering to a protected animal.  The man named as Frank Lewis was released on bail until 2 September.

A 15-year-old was also charged and will appear at Swansea Youth Court on 11 August.