A rescue charity has accused a Krispy Kreme store of endangering local cats by tampering with their food.

Awhi Mai Cat Rescue has installed a shelter for about 10 stray cats near the Krispy Kreme store carpark in Manukau.

Volunteers have been feeding the cats at the site since December 2023.

In a Facebook post, Awhi Mai Cat Rescue claimed the Krispy Kreme store had been tipping coffee grounds in the food of community cats they care for.

Coffee grounds are toxic to cats and are used as a deterrent for the animals.

In the post the charity accused the Krispy Kreme of having “sunk to all kinds of low”, claiming their actions constitute “animal endangerment”.

The charity also claimed the donut shop had taken the cats’ shelter away and tipped out their water.

A Krispy Kreme spokesperson said customer safety and wellbeing was an ”absolute priority".

The cat shelter has been removed.

“As a food production facility, we must follow strict health and safety protocols.

“The presence of stray animals on our premises and in close proximity to food preparation areas poses significant health and safety risks.

“We will continue to take all necessary measures to safeguard food safety.”

Krispy Kreme employees have allegedly been told to dispose of the cat food if they see it.

Karen Mills, founder of Awhi Mai Cat rescue, said they had been caring for the cats since December 2023.

She said the charity had trapped, neutered, flea-treated, wormed and vaccinated the 10 cats that appeared regularly for food.

She said the cats were at an age when it would be difficult to have the felines rehomed and was adamant they would continue to care for them no matter what the company did.

“We won’t stop feeding, that’s a guarantee.”