Woman found keeping 21 cats, a dog and a python in filthy east London flat

A woman has been banned from keeping pets after authorities discovered 21 cats, a dog and a python being kept inside a flat in east London.

The RSPCA launched an inquiry in January 2025 after a veterinary surgery raised concerns about a cat that had been brought in severely unwell.

Although emergency treatment was attempted, the animal was later euthanised.

Animal Rescue Officer Michael Harrington traced the ownership of the cat to Rachel Xie Yin, 38.

She was already legally barred from owning animals. Investigators found she had registered her pets under multiple different names at several veterinary practices.

In February last year, RSPCA officers, supported by police, attended a flat in Hoxton, east London, and found the animals living in dirty and dangerous conditions.

RSPCA Inspector Lee Ricketts said: ‘I saw three litter trays all of which contained faeces.

‘I saw one bowl containing water which I had been informed was placed there by police just prior to me entering the property and had several cats crowding round it.

‘There were faeces and what appeared to be diarrhoea on the bedding in the bedroom and faeces in the bath containing blood.’

The officer added that there was a dog roaming the apartment and a snake that was living in a vivarium, a controlled tank which is maintained at a specific temperature, which had been switched off at the wall.

All animals were seized from the address and transported to a vet for assessment.

Examinations revealed that nine of the cats were suffering from ill health and that their basic needs had not been properly met.

A veterinary surgeon who examined the animals said: ‘Nine of the cats had health conditions including ear disease, eye disease, poor body condition, fever and dental disease.

‘Many of the animals showed signs of neglect, including faecal soiling and matted fur.

‘This demonstrates that they were not having their needs met through regular and timely veterinary care.

‘The dirty environment may also have contributed to their poor condition.’

Xie Yin appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (21 January).

She admitted breaching a lifetime disqualification that had been imposed in June 2015 and pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of nine cats under her care.

Xie Yin was given a further lifetime ban on owning or keeping animals and ordered to pay £500 in costs.

She was also sentenced to 14 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months, alongside 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements, 40 hours of unpaid work, and a victim surcharge of £154.

Xie Yin told the court she believed the original lifetime ban had expired.

She said she loved animals but had taken in too many from friends who were travelling between the UK and China.

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