After 19 cats were rescued from China's meat trade, a local animal welfare group has provided health care and successfully re-housed them thanks to Animals Asia support.

The 19 cats were confiscated by the Shijiazhuang authorities after being stolen by unscrupulous cat meat dealers.

Thankfully saved from the cooking pot, the felines were luckier still to receive care, vaccinations and housing from Yi Mi Ai Stray Cat Rescue.

Homes were eventually found for 11 of the cats, while eight were released back in to local communities.

For those released, their care continues with volunteers and local residents providing food and water while also monitoring their general health.

The Yi Mi Ai group's ability to care for the animals, provide vaccinations and source homes was a direct result of Animals Asia's TNR (trap, neuter, release) fund.

Suki Deng, Animals Asia China Cat and Dog Welfare Manager said:

"Trap, neuter, release is the humane, sustainable response to the issue of strays. Applied broadly it enhances the health of the cats, prevents disease and will help decrease the growth of animals and also their impact on urban environments. TNR continues to save animal lives in China and combat the issue of urban strays."

To date the fund has provided finance and training for nine grassroots organisations in nine Chinese cities allowing them to carry out vital TNR, vaccination and adoption work for the country's stray cats.

In the future it is hoped more groups from other cities will benefit from the fund.

Having successfully helped the 19 rescued cats, Yi Mi Ai's next task is to expand the ambitious TNR programme in Shijiazhuang city.

The programme aims to help up to 150 cats by targeting at-risk strays in three neighbourhoods and three public spaces where strays have been identified as a social issue or being at risk of cruelty.

Since 2012, Animals Asia training programmes have offered practical TNR skills to local NGOs, as well as tools and financial support for de-sexing stray cats and administering vaccinations.

Animals Asia founder and CEO, Jill Robinson MBE said:

"This is a programme we're really proud of. We're empowering local NGOs, giving them the funds and the training they need to be the change they want to see in their communities. Canine welfare issues are rightly well documented in the media due to the issue of the meat trade. The welfare of cats may receive much less attention, but we believe it is equally important."

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