'It's like they've been thrown away like rubbish' - RSPCA investigate after two litters of kittens dumped days apart in West Midlands
The RSPCA is investigating after two litters of kittens were found abandoned in Birmingham just days apart.
In the first incident, five kittens and their dead sibling were discovered in a carboard box left in an alleyway near to Kings Road, Yardley, at around 10am on May 27.
A member of the public sought help for the young cats who were dehydrated and infested with flea eggs, with blood in their mouths and urine, the animal welfare charity said.
Despite the efforts of the animal care team at the RSPCA Birmingham Hospital, all but one died.
In a separate incident on May 31, two seven-week-old kittens were found in a box which had been dumped at Baldwins Road Allotments in Birmingham.
The pair - who have since been named Rhubarb and Custard - are said to be doing well and getting the care they need at a rescue centre.
The RSPCA is now appealing to pet owners to make sure their cats are neutered to help tackle growing numbers of unwanted cats and kittens arriving at animal rescue centres.
Animal rescue officer Charlotte Holder is investigating where the kittens came from and who is responsible for dumping them.
She said: “It’s heart breaking to see animals being abandoned in this way. It’s like they’ve been thrown away like rubbish.
"It’s never the right thing to do to abandon an animal like this, there is plenty of help and advice out there for struggling pet owners, such as on the RSPCA’s website.”
Anyone with information on either incident should contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01531484 for the incident on May 27 or 01534970 for the incident on May 31.
The RSPCA said it is "braced" for an influx of kittens between May and September when there is a peak in cat breeding and the majority of kittens are born.
The charity recorded 27,853 incidents of cats in need last year, with 14,568 of these occurring between May and September and 7,879 of these reports concerning abandoned cats.
So far this year, it has already received nearly 3,000 reports of abandoned cats and said it expects this figure to "rise significantly" as breeding season gets underway.
Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, added: “Kitten season is typically the time of year when most kittens are born and as a charity we see an influx of cats coming into our care as a result.
"With the cost of living crisis putting an extra strain on people’s finances we’re concerned that we may see more cats than ever in need of help at a time when our centres are already full-to-bursting.
"This is why we have issued an urgent plea to the public to help us tackle the cat overpopulation crisis.”
Pet owners can play a part in reducing the surge in unwanted pets by having their cats neutered from four months old.
People can also help by volunteering or fostering for a rescue centre during the busy period and taking dumped cats or kittens to the vet, who will then contact the RSPCA if there are welfare concerns.
If concerns are raised about a cat or kitten being abandoned at a property, people should contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
