A couple who moved into their bargain £52,000 home were left stumped after they found 43 stray cats living inside.
Joshua Howell and his partner did not realise they were moving into an occupied property when they got the keys.
The 35-year-old found rooms and rooms of adorable – but mostly very poorly – moggies making themselves at home.
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“It was an utter shock and surprise,” Joshua told What’s The Jam.
“We already had plans to start a small farm and cat rescue, but we thought it would be on our own terms, after we already had a good framework set up.
“We are a disabled couple so all of our energy and time goes into the care of this colony and trying to grow the rescue.”
Joshua and Faye, who live in Ozone, Arkansas in the US, had dreams of starting their own rescue home since first meeting in 2020.
Having forked out about £52,000 ($70,000 USD) for the small home, they had no idea it had any kind of animal infestation.
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But since moving in, the duo have devoted their time to improving the health of the dozens of resident felines – in some cases, saving their lives.
Joshua explained: “We live out in a remote part of our state.
“There are few resources available to help out needy animals already.
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“The only options were to drop them off at a shelter or ignore them.
“There was no way we were going to do either of those, so we decided to start the rescue now – and build it as we save the colony.
“I have a good friend that runs a rescue in New York. They are helping us behind the scenes get to a professional level.”
The couple have now started the Sunshine Pines Rescue.
They are able to fix, feed, shelter, and vet all 43 of the cats.
The centre has relied on the animal lovers’ hard work and donations from viewers after sharing their journey online.
The pair now have plans to register as a 501c3 nonprofit – the equivalent of a registered charity in the US – with goals to expand the property.
Joshua said: “We have a goal of turning the cat’s porch into a giant enclosed catio, and converting a little school bus from a coast-to-coast camper into a post-storm mobile pet rescue.
“We want to assist with other feral colonies and TNR (trap, neuter, return) projects around the state of Arkansas.
“We feel strongly that TNR and Spay/Neuter programs and education are crucial to minimising the unrequested kitten population that has become such a national problem.”
