RSPCA Wirral rescues 32 cats after sanctuary owner banned for life

Tamara Lloyd once starred in a Channel 5 documentary about her animal sanctuary in Boston, Lincolnshire where she spoke of her love of rescuing abandoned dogs.

But she was prosecuted by the RSPCA back in 2020 after concerns were raised about the welfare of animals in her care at the Alternative Animal Sanctuary.

More than 70 cats, 14 pigs, along with dogs, horses and terrapins were among the animals being kept in squalid conditions by Lloyd.

One of the rooms Tamara Lloyd kept animals in (Image: SWNS)

Witnesses described the conditions at the premises as "appalling" while police labelled it as one of the "worst ever cases of animal neglect".

The Charity Commission also found the charity had spent just £900,000 on the care of animals from an £8m fund raised by the public over seven years.

Lloyd was originally convicted of 17 animal welfare offences and sentenced to a ten year disqualification order in 2020.

But after failing to appeal some of her convictions, she has now been banned from keeping animals for life and ordered to pay £65,000.

Lloyd was also sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for two years, when she returned to Lincoln Crown Court on October 11.

More than 70 cats were among the animals being kept in squalid conditions by Lloyd (Image: SWNS)

An appeal verdict outcome from the court said: “We found that Ms Lloyd prioritised her beliefs about animals’ psychological difficulties above their concrete and obvious physical ailments.

"It was striking that she struggled time and time again to accept the pain and suffering of animals in her care.

“In contrast to what would be expected of a reasonable animal shelter, she kept next to no records of the animals and any medical treatment they received, so much of what she says is a matter of assertion.

"We note that she says that she carried the information in her head, but also asserts that she is no good on dates and times, which would make it even less appropriate to keep no paper records.

"Her evidence was wholly unreliable and lacked credibility.”

Lloyd previously appeared on the Channel 5 show The Woman With 106 Dogs where she revealed she was the proud owner of more than 100 animals.

But the RSPCA said 70 cats they found did not have a suitable environment in which to live, surrounded by urine, faeces and ammonia.

The RSPCA said 70 cats they found did not have a suitable environment in which to live, surrounded by urine, faeces and ammonia (Image: RSPCA)

Some had no access to a suitable diet or fresh drinking water, and a boar was examined by a vet who noted a severely in-grown tusk.

A total of 14 Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs were found homed in an area described as being dirty, with faeces and urine accumulation and cluttered with debris.

There were also dead rats, overflowing filthy litter trays, a lack of water, stagnant dirty water, and hazards littering the environment.

Vets who visited the site concluded that the animals on site needed to be removed having seen obvious signs of disease and ill health.

The appeal verdict noted Lloyd may have started with the best of intentions, but was overwhelmed with requests for her to take in animals and felt unable to say no.

The outcome report added: “This is not sadistic behaviour, but it is driven by your unshakeable belief that all experts are wrong and you are the only person who knows and understands your animals.

"This led to prolonged and repeated incidents of neglect and deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animals.

“You were running the sanctuary as a charity, and then as a business. It is not for this court to enquire into the finances, save to say that we are sure there was sufficient money to provide the care the animals needed.

"You took in animals giving those that brought them to you the hope that those animals would live out their days free and happy, but that was not the reality for the ones we have been considering.”

Speaking after the appeal hearing, RSPCA Inspector Kate Burris, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Lloyd failed in her duty towards these animals.

"Instead of providing the safe and caring environment she promised by setting up a sanctuary, animals were kept in awful conditions, with some left to suffer as a result.  

"It’s been a long road to recovery for many animals who were rescued but thanks to the care and expertise shown to them since they are now thriving.

“Animals are completely reliant on their carers to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.

"Ensuring appropriate veterinary care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards them.

"It’s sad that animals were deprived of the chance to live happy and healthy lives.”

The court also ordered a deprivation order for all the animals in the care of the RSPCA.

These are nine cats and a horse, who is being cared for by the equine charity World Horse Welfare.

Lloyd was also deprived of ownership of one dog, six horses, four bullocks and a cow, which she had in her care.

All the animals can now legally be rehomed by the RSPCA.

World Horse Welfare Field Officer Sarah Tucker, who worked with the RSPCA, said: “These ponies had not been handled or had a head collar on for a very long time, if ever.

"Using their herd instincts we finally managed to corral them safely into the pens.

"Watching the last horses finally being removed from these appalling conditions was a huge relief.”

PC Martin Green, of Lincolnshire Police's Rural Crime Action Team, said: “This was one of the worst cases of neglect involving animals I have seen in many years, mainly due to the number of animals that were present, with only one person responsible for their welfare.

“I’d like to pass my thanks onto those who attended after the first warrant which meant many of the animals were rehomed; people will have seen how bad the conditions the animals were living in really were.

“I’d also like to pass my thanks on to the RSPCA, especially their Inspectors who pursue these investigations which take an enormous amount of time and valuable funds.”

RSPCA Wirral, who took 32 cats in from the case originally, described the case as being one of the “biggest and longest” they had ever known.

The animal centre is now looking to rehome the cats who have been in their care.

A spokesperson said: “Today is a good day for some cats that have been in our care for five years.

“This is the longest and one of the biggest cases we have ever known and involved a lot of animals.

“We took 32 cats in from this case originally, but have only now had the remaining few signed over by the court as the owner refused to sign them over so they could find loving homes.

“The cats have been well cared for during their time with us, and their lives before coming to us was unimaginable so they have never had the opportunity to be loved family pets.

“We are hoping to change that as soon as possible. We are looking to rehome them in the pairs they are in as they are all bonded. Some are quite timid and will need quiet homes and some time to settle in but we are hoping we can make up for the lost time they have had.

“If you think you can help any of them, please fill in the form on the link below and put MAG cat in the animal name box. https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSe7f1ZncPf3Mu.../viewform.”