A cat has been rescued from a market in Bahrain where it had been dyed P and put on display in the extreme heat.

The four-month-old feline, known as Pinky, was spotted at Isa Town Market last month by 17-year-old Bilal Aslam, who posted shocking pictures of the neglected cat on Facebook.

The country’s SPCA animal charity responded to his calls for help and staged an intervention this week.

She is now being cared for in a nearby animal refuge.

The chairman of the charity, Mahmood Faraj said in a statement: “She has been given a thorough veterinary examination, but our vet has some concerns over a possible allergic reaction to the dye that was used.

“Our next task was a thorough wash to remove the dye.

“Unfortunately it will take a few more washes before she is back to her normal colour.”

The teen who found pinky told the Gulf Daily News he thought the market stall owners had used wall paint on the animal.

He said: “There was a pungent smell about it and it looked like it was slowly falling sick.

“There was no food given to the cats and they had only a little water to survive the heat.”

Bahrain issued a new animal welfare law, which came into effect last year, after several high profile instances of animal abuse in the country caused international outrage.

Local animal activists have reportedly been keeping a keener eye on the market where Pinky was rescued.

The owners have now been given guidelines regarding better ventilation and care for captive animals.