MAJOR concerns have been raised about the future of an animal sanctuary after it emerged its previous site was left in 'squalor' with cats roaming free.

People have reacted with outrage as pictures emerged from the aftermath of Didcot Animal Sanctuary’s move to a new site near Wallingford, showing rubbish piled high and trashed caravans.

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Cats have been seen running around the site with one expert warning the conditions are 'in no way' suitable for keeping animals.

Owners David and Julia Vaughan, who have faced mounting criticism for their running of the charity, insist they have done nothing wrong and have contacted the police after accusing animal activists of stealing the cats.

Didcot resident Whitney Dawson, was one of the first people to visit the site on Thursday afternoon, and said: “It was horrendous. There was rubbish everywhere including broken bricks and mouldy food.

“The whole place stunk and I had to dump my clothes after leaving one of the caravans because I was covered in fleas.

“Some of the dog bowls were full of black stagnant water and there were a lot of abandoned cages and fish tanks.

“I have heard a lot about the place but to see it for yourself was just awful.”

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The cats were described by concerned onlookers as 'scared and feral' and were taken away, with one admitted to Larkmead Vets in Didcot for examination, because of concerns over its poor health, eyes and emaciated condition.

Mr Vaughan, who has strenuously denied any wrong-doing, has hit back at the accusations, saying he had asked the police to investigate what he said was breaking and entering and theft.

He said: “I don’t know what’s going on.

"They have stolen four of our cats, ransacked the place and cut open a fence.

“We needed to leave the cats on the site until we had a suitable home for them at the new site.

“They have been fed and watered twice-a-day, every day. They are always very friendly with us so I do not recognise what has been said about them.”

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He added that the charity was still in the process of moving to the undisclosed site in Wallingford, which had already taken six months.

A pig was blamed for part of the mess. Caravans were left to be burnt and the rest of the rubbish, he said, would be cleared in the next three to four months.

Mr Vaughan has pledged to run the new site differently and will not allow rubbish to stockpile or keep animals in caravans.

He said: “We are doing our best overall. We are on our own and at this 12-14 hours a day.

“We’re just here to give a home to animals nobody wants and we wish everyone would leave us alone to get on with our job.”

An Oxfordshire animal worker who worked in a senior position in the rescue industry for 15 years, but did not wish to be named, said he thought the sanctuary had 'bitten off more than it could chew'.

After visiting on Thursday he said the site was 'left in squalor' and described seeing discarded food, lighter gas and a lot of general mess.

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It was the first time he had seen the site up close and said it was worrying that animals had seemingly been left to fend for themselves.

He added: “If the owners are saying they have to work on the site 12-14 hours a day just to ensure all the animals are fed then that tells me they have got too many animals.

“That’s before you get to all the cleaning and checks that need to be done.

“They seem to lack the knowledge and education needed to run the place effectively.

“It is all very well saying you will never refuse an animal but you should only take what you can realistically look after and put your foot down and say no occasionally.

“They are not equipped to cope at the moment and need to seriously consider downsizing. They should have asked for help far sooner.

“This is meant to be a place that is offering refuge and they cannot offer animals what they need at the moment.”

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Simon Hartwright, the owner of the Hill Farm site where the animal sanctuary was based, said he expected the site to be fully cleared but said there was no animosity between him and the sanctuary staff.

He added: “It will all be tidy by the spring next year.

“I am happy; it has all been fine.

“They had to get the animals out first and are coming back to clean up so it’s bound to be in a bit of a mess.”

It is understood the latest accusations have been reported to the RSPCA. A spokeswoman for the charity did not respond to requests for comment.