The RSPCA is appealing for information after a kitten was found dumped in an alleyway in West Bromwich.
A member of the public came across the eight-week old black and white male in an alleyway at the Stone Cross Shopping Centre, near Fast 1 Pizza in West Bromwich.
The good samaritan took the poor kitten home to warm him up as it was cold and alerted the RSPCA. Animal rescuer, Inspector Nichola Geraghty was sent to collect the kitten, now called Figaro.
The kitten is said to be doing well in foster care arranged by the RSPCA’s Coventry and District branch. Nichola is now appealing for information to find out who dumped the kitten who was found at 10:45am on December 30.
She said: “He is recovering well and is in the care of a loving foster home, but I would like to trace the person responsible for discarding him like a piece of rubbish down an alleyway in the cold – with no food or water. I am grateful to the man who found him and then kindly took him home to where he was kept safe and warm until we arrived.”
The RSPCA is bracing itself for a surge in abandonments as reports of increased pet ownership during lockdown, coupled with a deepening recession has led to fears of more pets being left out in the cold this year.
Dermot Murphey, head of the RSPCA’s animal rescue teams, said: “During the lockdown there have been reports of a rise in people buying of adopting new pets, often for the very first time.
“Whilst it’s great that so many people have become pet owners and have found their pet to be a real source of comfort during these challenging times, we are concerned that some people may have bought a pet on impulse without considering how their lifestyle might change once the pandemic ends. On top of that, we are facing real economic uncertainties, and, as in previous recessions, people may simply find themselves unable to afford their pet.
“The last thing we want to see if animals dumped and left out in the cold so we’d urge anyone who is struggling to care for their pets to please reach out to friends, family and charities for support instead. We would always urge anyone considering getting a pet to thoroughly do their research to make sure they can give them the time, money and care they need for the rest of their lives.
“As the impact of the pandemic puts a strain on people’s finances and as many people start to return to work or some kind of normality, the fear is that we will see w surge in abandoned and neglected animals coming into our care.”
