The RSPCA is appealing for information after a litter of seven kittens were abandoned during the festivities on New Year’s Eve.
The litter of six-week old kittens were all suffering from cat flu and were freezing cold after being found in a cat carrier down an alleyway next to some bins in Exchange Street, Blackpool, on December 31.
They were spotted by a kind member of the public who was putting something in the bin when she spotted the young cats in need and contacted the RSPCA.
RSPCA Animal Collection Officer Robyn Morris said: “These poor kittens were dumped out in the cold and very poorly. A couple of them had such severe flu that their eyes had stuck together with gunk and the poor mites were freezing when found. They were lucky that they were spotted when they were, so that I was able to take them to a vet as quickly as possible.”
The kittens were cleaned up at the vets and put on a treatment of eye drops and antibiotics to clear up the flu. Thankfully, all the kittens have started to recover and apart from the flu they are in good health and are a healthy weight.
They will now be moved to RSPCA Southport, Ormskirk and District branch, where they will soon be looking for new homes.
Animal rescuer Robyn added: “We are appealing for anyone with information about these kittens to please get in touch with us. Perhaps you saw something unusual in Exchange Street at around 1:30pm on New Year’s Eve, or maybe you recognise these kittens, then please contact the RSPCA on the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
The RSPCA advise that kittens can be vaccinated against cat flu from around nine weeks old and this is part of their first set of ‘kitten jabs’ at the vets.
Cat flu is an airborne virus and is generally spread through direct contact with other cats such as saliva, tears and nasal secretions, or indirectly through food bowls, bedding, litter trays or human hands.
It can cause sore eyes and blocked noses and if left untreated, it can lead to permanently damaged eyes, pneumonia, or at worst, it can be fatal.
Symptoms include sneezing and runny eyes, loss of appetite, eye or mouth ulcers and respiratory problems, as well as an increased temperature – while other cats can have and spread the virus without any signs at all.
Once the kittens have fully recovered they will be able to go into new homes.
