Nadine Jade Martell-Marshall, 28, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a female tortoiseshell cat named Tigger.
She failed to give her with food and water over a five-day period in March last year.
At Cardiff Magistrates’ Court, Martell-Marshall, now of Maes Y Ffynnon, Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf was sentenced to a two-year community order.
The defendant must complete a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement and she was ordered to pay ÂŁ1,086 costs as well as a victim surcharge of ÂŁ114.
In a written statement provided to the court, RSPCA animal rescue officer Lauren Perry said she went to the address in Barry on March 24, 2025.
She said: “The property was full of rubbish and there were empty cat boxes of food everywhere, cat faeces all over the property, the cat litter trays inside the kitchen and living room area were full of faeces, lots of flies were also present and the property also had fleas everywhere.
“I went inside the bedroom and there was a crate and inside the crate was a deceased cat, the cat was a tortoiseshell coloured cat.
“I could see it was already deceased and the cat was lying inside the crate surrounded by rubbish.”
The officer added: “There was a bed available but it was soiled with cat faeces, flies and fleas. Inside the crate there was no food or water available for the cat.
“I retrieved the body from the crate but there was a white item of clothing which was tied to the crate and I had to untie this and unlock the crate to retrieve the cat.
“I could see that the cat’s left eye was partially closed, the body of the cat was solid and cold and the cat’s body was covered in live fleas.”
RSPCA deputy chief inspector Gemma Black, who led the investigation, said: “This case was extremely harrowing and heartbreaking and our thoughts go to Tigger.
“Every animal deserves to be treated with kindness and respect and if you have a pet you are responsible for making sure they are happy and healthy – with water and food being a basic provision for any animal.
“We would urge anyone struggling to seek help.”
