The RSPCA is appealing for information after two separate litters of kittens were found abandoned just a short drive away from each other in Norfolk.
The first litter of five kittens, aged around three weeks old, were discovered inside a black and green crate on the side of the road in Station Road, Terrington St Clement. The second litter of three very young kittens – possibly just a few days old – were found in a bush about a 20 minute drive away in Mill Road, Shouldham Thorpe on Sunday (20 September).
Sadly, the second litter was in a very poor state and the young cats were suffering from severe flystrike. One kitten passed away shortly after being admitted to the vets on 22 September and the other two were sadly put to sleep by vets due to their serious condition.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Bethany Allerton, who is now investigating, said: “These young kittens were sadly abandoned without their mum or anyone to care for them. Thankfully, the first litter is being hand-reared by a local rescue charity and appears to be doing well. However, the second set of kittens were extremely poorly and heartbreakingly did not make it.
“It is unknown whether these two incidents are connected or not but it’s unusual to have so many kittens abandoned in the same area on the same day.
“If anyone has any information about this please contact our RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”
The RSPCA and other animal welfare charities are seeing an unprecedented increase in cats coming into their care – and the public are urged to help tackle the overpopulation crisis by neutering their cats.
Over the last 10 years, the RSPCA has neutered a whopping 46,000 cats, however, Cats Protection’s Cats and Their Stats Report 2023 and the PDSA PAW Report found that 1.4 million (13%) owned cats are still unneutered.
The charity urges owners who may find themselves with an unexpected litter of kittens which they are unable to care for to please reach out for help and not abandon them. There is support for those who are struggling on the charity’s Cost of Living Hub.
