Woman can only afford one meal a week as she spends all her money feeding her cats

A woman says she can sometimes only afford to eat once a week to ensure her six cats have enough food amid the cost of living crisis.

Yasemn Kaptan, 46, says she has been regularly skipping meals for a year as she spends most of her money keeping her felines well-fed.

Yasemn is a stay-at-home carer and receives a £69 allowance a week - £60 of which she spends on her pets.

She also receives £400 monthly disability benefit due to her osteoporosis, which goes on rent and bills.

In an attempt to keep her hunger pangs at bay, Yasemn says she fills up on mint tea, but has lost five stone since having to cut her food intake.

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Yasemn got her cats when she was working as a personal shopper and could comfortably pay her bills, look after herself and her pets.

But she was forced to leave her job after being diagnosed with osteoporosis - meaning money is now incredibly tight.

Yasemn, from Tottenham, north London, said: "I don't have any money to spare - but I can't let [the cats] go.

"They have grown up with us. I have had them since they were little babies.

"I paid a lot of money to have them, they are at the end of their life. It really isn't fair to let them go."

Yasemn doesn’t know how she would cope without her cats.

She said: "When I get my carer's allowance it goes on cat litter, cat food, biscuits and special milk, it takes up all my money. I can only just about pay my phone bill.

"My partner is worried about me but I have got used to it by now. I will be okay, things will get better.

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"There is nothing I can do, I will not get rid of my cats. I have had them for 17 years, they are my little babies they keep me going."

Yasemn's one meal usually consists of BBQ vegetables like peppers, onions and salad.

Yasemn added: "I eat once a week. I just have mint tea or liquids throughout the week.

"If I eat it has to be something soft like yoghurt or vegetables. I cry every other day, I am trying to be happy with myself but I am down and tired.

"Some weeks I am not eating properly at all and I just have fluids to keep me going."

Topics: Money, News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at Tyla who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.