West Ham makes donations to nine animal charities after Kurt Zouma kicks cat

West Ham has made donations to nine animal welfare charities following the club fine handed out to Kurt Zouma for kicking his pet cat.

The defender faced a public outcry and was subsequently charged by the RSPCA after footage emerged last month of him kicking and slapping the cat.

Zouma's two cats were confiscated by the RSPCA, while West Ham fined the 27-year-old the maximum two weeks’ wages, believed to be around £250,000.

The footballer and his brother Yoan, who filmed the footage, are facing a prosection launched by the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act,.

Both Zouma and West Ham also lost sponsorship deals following the incident, and Zouma has been jeered by rival sides' fans since the footage emerged.

But the Hammers today confirmed that “significant payments” have been made to nine animal charities at home and abroad.

The club said: “West Ham United is pleased to confirm that financial donations have been made to a number of animal welfare charities following the club fine handed to Kurt Zouma.

“A total of nine organisations, supporting the care and wellbeing of animals both in the United Kingdom and internationally, have been identified to receive significant payments which will go towards supporting the fantastic work they do.”

The charities include Cats Protection, the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals and International Fund Animal Welfare, which is currently providing support to animal shelters operating in war-torn Ukraine.

The club added: “West Ham United would like to thank everyone who contacted the club to propose animal welfare charities and good causes, along with our supporters who have been involved in the process of identifying those who have received financial support, ensuring that a huge positive has come from something negative.”