Forty designer cats were rescued from filthy, cramped conditions — with some suffering from deformities caused by extreme breeding.
The moggies, including Sphynx, Munchkin, Bambino, and Devon Rex breeds had been bred for sale.
Around five of the cats were pregnant, resulting in yet more kittens needing care.
Many suffered from severe limb deformities and narrow ear canals causing painful wax build-up.
They were rescued from a property in Hampshire in August, as reported by Need To Know.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “The cats were kept in small, dirty pens.
“The Bambino cats in particular are a very sad example of extreme breeding as some of these cats had deformities to their legs.
“Bambinos are a mixed breed between a sphynx and munchkin with long, naked bodies and short legs which means they have welfare issues.
“They all came into the care of the RSPCA and our partners at Cats Protection where they have been given some much needed care and attention.”
The charity urges breeders to prioritise health and welfare over looks.
An RSPCA spokesperson added: “Over the last few years we have seen an increase in the numbers of certain pedigree cats coming into our care as a result of ‘designer’ cat breeds becoming more popular with cat owners.
“Sadly, many cat breeds have exaggerated physical features, some of which have become so extreme that they can cause pain and suffering, some make cats prone to particular disorders, and some prevent them from behaving normally.
“In the case of bambinos, they are bred to have disproportionately short limbs which will likely impact their ability to move around normally and carry out their natural behaviours.
“This also puts increased stress on their joints and makes them more likely to develop painful osteoarthritis.
“Their lack of hair, sometimes including eyelashes and/or whiskers, means they’re more vulnerable to sunburn, may have difficulties keeping warm and won’t be able to use their hair and whiskers to explore their environment.
“They can also develop skin issues as their skin can become greasy if not properly bathed and sadly bathing can be a really stressful experience for the cat.
“The RSPCA strongly believes that all those who breed cats should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed, in order to protect the welfare of both the parents and offspring.
“We know owners want their pets to be happy and healthy, and people may not realise that cats bred with exaggerated features can struggle with extremely serious health problems.
“We would like to see breeders doing more to ensure they are producing kittens who are happy and healthy.
“We strongly encourage anyone wanting a cat to visit one of our centres and rescue a cat in need of a loving home.
“You can meet some of the lovely cats waiting for new homes on the RSPCA website.”
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