The RSPCA is caring for two young cats and appealing for information after they were abandoned on the outskirts of Leeds.
A woman was walking her dog in the woods off Moor Knoll Lane, East Ardsley, on Tuesday afternoon (October 29) when she spotted a gym bag and thought it was suspicious. It’s just minutes away from the RSPCA’s Leeds, Wakefield & District Branch Centre.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Emmeline Myall said: “The lady thought it was strange to see the bag dumped in the woods. She went over to look inside and found two young cats zipped up inside. Thank goodness she was curious enough to check it out, otherwise the outcome could have been very different.”
The woman contacted the RSPCA for help and both cats – thought to be around eight-months-old – were taken in by the charity.
Emmeline added: “The sports bag is a grey and black Umbro bag with handles and there was sick inside so it’s believed one of the cats vomited while shut in there. Thankfully though, both cats have been checked by vets and appear to be healthy.”
The RSPCA is now appealing for information from anyone who may recognise the cats or know where they’ve come from, or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area with the bag on Tuesday.
Anyone with information should contact the charity’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message, quoting reference 01381236.
Emmeline added: “The cost of living crisis has hit many families hard and, unfortunately, we’ve been seeing more animals being abandoned as well as more coming into the care of our centres and branches.
“All of our centres are essentially full and so we have a large number of animals in emergency boarding while we wait for spaces to open up. Sadly, animals are coming into our care much faster than they’re being adopted.
“We understand that some pet owners are finding themselves in very difficult situations and may feel they need to give up their pet – but we’d urge them not to abandon them and to instead seek help from friends, family, vets, and charities.
“We’d like to thank this kind member of the public who took these cats home with her to a safe place and then called us for help. We’d ask anyone who finds a sick, injured or abandoned small animal to please help them, if possible, by taking them to a local vet for urgent care.”
The two cats – now called Micky and Edward – are now being cared for at one of the private emergency boarding centres used by the RSPCA.
