38 cats rescued from closed Bangkok cat facility

Thirty-eight cats were rescued from a combined cat cafe and pet hotel in downtown Bangkok after the owner was arrested over complaints about alleged animal cruelty. (Photo taken from @Talinseree Facebook page)

Thirty-eight cats were rescued from a popular cat café that doubled as a pet hotel in downtown Bangkok after the venue was closed and its owner arrested following complaints of alleged animal cruelty.

Videos and photos of the cats rescued by a team of volunteers were posted online, drawing sympathy from animal lovers.

Facebook user Talin Seree Ruamthai, an unsuccessful candidate for the Thai Liberal Party, posted several clips and photos of the cats. He said he and others went to rescue the cats from the facility after it was shuttered on April 3.

After being alerted by a former staff member of the facility on April 12 that there were cats still inside, he went to the venue and found many felines in poor condition, along with cat carcasses in a refrigerator inside the venue.

Police later inspected the venue. A total of 38 cats were reportedly rescued.

Thai media reported that a veterinarian who ran the facility had reportedly been trying to breed a type of cat named 'tiny Sphynx'. He was arrested after complaints about animal cruelty.

Cats are rescued from a popular cat cafe in downtown Bangkok after the venue was closed and its owner arrested following complaints of alleged animal cruelty. (Video clip taken from @Talinseree Facebook page)