The RSPCA is appealing for information after five tiny kittens were dumped in a household recycling bin in Hampshire.
The litter of felines, who are only a week old, were rescued by refuse collectors who were on their round on Cove Road in Farnborough on the morning of Thursday, September 26. The refuse collectors took the cats to a nearby vets and the matter was then reported to the RSPCA.
Thankfully, the kittens were unhurt by their ordeal and are now in the care of the RSPCA Hampshire and Surrey Border Branch where staff have named them Morel, Magpie, Molly, Penny and Saffron.
RSPCA Inspector Leanna Hone, who is investigating the abandonment, said: “It is frightening to think what could have happened to these young kittens had they not been spotted by the refuse collectors.
“There wasn’t any sound of miaowing, but the bin was quite full so the cats were lying on a cardboard box near the top and were fortunately spotted as the bin was being picked up on the round.
“All the kittens are doing well and their eyes are opening. They were given a feed and a clean up and I took them to our local branch who have now placed them with one of their cat fosterers.
“We are investigating the circumstances of this cruel abandonment. The house holder who owned the bin was horrified when they heard these kittens had been placed in it outside their home.
“We are also concerned for the welfare of the cats’ mother, so if anyone knows anything about these kittens and who their owner might be we would urge them to call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident number 01360132.”
The RSPCA is urging owners who may find themselves with an unexpected litter of kittens which they are unable to care for to reach out for help and not abandon them. There is support for those who are struggling on the charity’s cost of living hub.
The animal charity has seen a large increase in cats coming into its care and it wants owners to head off problems and tackle the overpopulation crisis by neutering their cats. Over the last 10 years, the RSPCA has neutered 46,000 cats, however Cat’s Protection’s Cats and Their Stats Report 2023 and the PDSA’s PAW Report found that 1.4 million (13%) owned cats are still unneutered.
Anyone finding an abandoned kitten should take it immediately to a vets who can give it emergency treatment, if that is needed, and they will report any incidents which need further investigation to the RSPCA.
The RSPCA is currently facing the biggest rehoming crisis in recent memory, leaving rescue centres and branches full to bursting with more unwanted animals coming into care than are being adopted.
To try and revive adoption rates, the RSPCA’s month-long Adoptober rehoming campaign in October celebrates the wonder of rescue pets, and highlights the many animals the charity has waiting to find their perfect match. Visit the charity’s Find A Pet to see all of the animals currently in its care, or help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming by donating online or calling 0300 123 8181.
