Jessica Smith, of Sunny Bank, Croydon, admitted to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
These included failing to investigate the weight loss of her cat, Stormy, and not seeking veterinary treatment for the animal’s urine scalds.
On January 7, Smith was sentenced at Croydon and Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.
The court imposed a 12-week jail term, suspended for a year, alongside the 15-year animal ban.
Magistrates heard how Smith delayed taking Stormy to a PDSA Animal Hospital until April 10 last year, despite his poor health being a concern for two to three weeks prior.
The black and white cat was so unwell that the vet decided the kindest course of action was to put him to sleep.
RSPCA inspector Harriet Daliday, who attended the hospital, said in a statement to the court: “Stormy was extremely underweight with no obvious fat.
“All his ribs, hips and his spine could be easily felt, and his rear paws had raw open lesions on the pads of the feet.”
Smith told the court that the cat had been off his food for two weeks and was experiencing toileting issues.
By the time Stormy arrived at the hospital, he was barely able to hold his head up.
His body condition score was one out of nine, classed as emaciation, and he had urine scalds on his back legs.
The defendant told a vet at the hospital that she was advised to syringe-feed the cat but said she did not have the financial capabilities to make it happen.
She only made contact with the PDSA in the last days of the cat’s life.
A vet at the hospital concluded that Stormy had suffered for a prolonged period of at least three months before his passing.
They said: “The defendant failed to take reasonable steps to seek veterinary care for her cat and protect him from pain, suffering, and disease.”
The court was informed that the defendant was remorseful and that she had been unable to financially support three children and a sick cat while she was pregnant with a fourth child.
Magistrates ordered Smith to pay court costs of £300.
After the sentencing, inspector Daliday said: “We’d urge pet owners to act swiftly and get prompt veterinary advice if their pet is showing any signs of ill health.
“For those who find themselves struggling, there are many reputable animal welfare charities who can offer help and advice, and we encourage anybody in a difficult situation to seek support.”
