Some of the cats rescued from a house in Bandar Baru Sentul, here on Wednesday are now being treated for one month at several veterinary clinics in the federal capital and Selangor before being handed over to new families to look after.

Sahabat Kucing Jalanan chairman Mohd Rosli Mohd Ariffin said during the treatment period, it would be ensured that the cats were healthy and free from any viral infection.

He said that some of the cats that had been ascertained to be healthy, were being placed temporarily at a shop providing 'cat hotel' services but the location had not been disclosed.

"We will get medical reports from several private veterinarians on the level of health of the cats. For sick cats some of which were infected with the Sporo virus, blindness and serious skin problems, they would be given treatment first.

"Subsequently, all the cats would be given vaccines and would be neutered before being handed over to the new owners,"he told Bernama, here today.

According to Rosli, the medical bill for treatment of the sick cats was expected to exceed RM6,000 so far.

Last Wednesday, a member of the Sahabat Kucing Jalanan together with a police team from the Sentul Police Station rescued 46 cats from being caged and neglected in an apartment unit in Bandar Baru Sentul, here following a complaint by the Kelab Pencinta Kucing which suspected that a man was exploiting the cats to collect money from members of the public.

The 41-year-old man, who was unemployed, was believed to have used the cats to solicit for financial contributions purportedly to purchase food and for treatment for the sick cats.

Earlier, Mohd Rosli told Bernama that the actual number of the animals rescued during the raid was 72, including a rabbit.

"Several other groups had met and discussed with the man to offer treatment for the cats, but he rejected the offers and said that he only needed money for the cats.

"We had to act fast to save the cats after it was believed that the man had previously threatened to hurt the animals if anyone tried to take them,"he said.

-- BERNAMA