RSPCA appeal after three 'very vulnerable' kittens dumped in box near West Yorkshire dual carriageway
‘We are seeing rising reports of cruelty year after year’
Three kittens found abandoned in a box by a dual carriageway in West Yorkshire have been taken into the RSPCA’s care.
The animal welfare charity has issued a public appeal for information after a member of the public spotted the box on a lay-by beside a dual carriageway in Normanton on July 9.
The kittens are now at the RSPCA’s Doncaster, Rotherham and District branch, where they will be rehomed.
The kittens, which are believed to be between four and six weeks old, were found in a poor condition after being abandoned away from their mother at a vulnerable age.
Animal Rescue Officer (ARO) Emmeline Myall said: “These poor kittens were riddled with fleas and covered in faeces and urine. They are only between four and six weeks old and were very vulnerable away from their mother at such a young age.
“The caller said they were discovered by a dual carriageway which would have been very dangerous and traumatising for them. We urge anyone who knows who these kittens belonged to, to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident 1850154.”
The three kittens have since been named Sunny, Bolt and Milo and are now thriving in a foster home.
The appeal comes as the RSPCA warns of a rise in reports of animal cruelty and abandoned pets during the summer months.
Newly published figures show that during June, July and August last year, the charity received 6,322 cruelty reports through its emergency line - equivalent to one call every 10 minutes while the line was open and a 64 per cent increase in five years.
Myall continued: “We typically see an influx of kittens and more calls about abandoned cats during kitten season - at this time of year - and with the cost of living putting an extra squeeze on people’s finances, we’re braced for a tough year at a time when our rescue centres are already full to bursting.
“Alarming new figures show that we are seeing rising reports of cruelty year after year. The summer months are our busiest time of year and our frontline rescue teams, specialist vets, behaviourists, rehabilitation and rehoming teams, will be working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible.”