RSPCA WA is calling for information after two cats appear to have been deliberately scalded with boiling liquid in the Wheatbelt town of Corrigin.
On Monday, RSPCA WA received a call from a woman whose cat, Puff, had been found after missing for a week.
The 18-month-old grey tabby had extensive injuries across most of her back and sides, consistent with burns.
Puff was transported to an emergency vet in Perth where she received overnight treatment before being sent to the RSPCA for further examination and treatment.
She has now been returned to her owner and is receiving help to recover.
Puff's case follows a similar incident in September when a cat, known to stray around an area of Corrigin, was found with injuries that looked like burns caused by boiling liquid.
The black cat had a severe burn from his neck to the base of his tail. It was untreated and had been infested with maggots. He was taken in by Perth Rescue Angels and continues to heal.
These burn incidents follow a spate of recent cat cruelty cases. In Augst, beloved family pet Tiger Tim was tied to a brick and thrown into the river at Bayswater to drown. In October, a cat was shot twice and left for dead in Huntingdale. A 38-year-old man will face court next month on a charge of cruelty against a cat in Piara Waters.
RSPCA WA Inspector Manager Kylie Green said the deliberate cruelty displayed in each of these cases was beyond comprehension.
'I have been an RSPCA inspector for 11 years and have seen a lot of things but this recent spate of what feels like escalating cat cruelty is concerning,' she said.
'The burns on the two Corrigin cats were horrific, they would have been in agony.
'They've been thoroughly examined by vets whose conclusion is boiling water or oil caused the burns.
'With one cat, that could be an accident. With two, I am deeply concerned and ask for anyone with information to come forward.'
Anyone with information about how either or both cats were injured is asked to contact the RSPCA WA 24-hour Cruelty Hotline on 1300 278 358 or online at rspcawa.org.au. Quote job number 185977.
The maximum penalty for an animal cruelty conviction is a $50,000 fine and five years in prison.
RSPCA WA thanked Perth Rescue Angels for their great work in looking after these cats and helping bring the incidents to the RSPCA's attention.
