A WOMAN only eats one meal a WEEK to keep her six 'babies' healthy and drinks mint tea for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Yasemn Kaptan from Tottenham, north London, claims she spends £60 a week from her allowance on the cats and is left with £9 to feed herself.
The stay-at-home carer has been sacrificing her own food for a year now which has resulted in a five stone weight loss.
The 46-year-old explained the detrimental toll the cost of living crisis is taking on their family: "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 eat once a week. I just have mint tea or liquids throughout the week.
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"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."
Yasemn, who lives with her parter Erdinc Hassain, also receives £400 per month for disability benefits- but this goes straight to rent and bills.
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Originally, the 46-year-old had welcomed the cats into her home when she was working as a personal shopper.
But funds were unexpectedly cut short last year when she had to leave her job due to osteoporosis.
And, now Erdinc has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, the couple claim they don't know how they would survive without the furry felines.
"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", she added.
"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."
This comes as thousands of Brits struggle amid the cost of living crisis, including Lorraine Foster.
The 57-year-old has been forced to share a bed with her mum, 86, as she has less than £1 per week spare after her energy bills.
In Birmingham a single mum-of-seven revealed she has to use flasks and candles while her family huddles together in one room to stay warm when their meter runs out at the end of the week.
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