The RSPCA is appealing for information after two very sick kittens were found dumped in a plastic container by communal bins outside a block of flats on Walmer Road in London, on Tuesday (22 August).
The distressing discovery was made by a girl living in the Foreland House flats, when she went to take the bins out. With the help of her mother and brother, they took the kittens into their flat and cared for them until the RSPCA could arrive.
The kittens were found conscious but mostly unresponsive at approximately 7:30pm.
The discovery of the dumped kittens comes at a time when the RSPCA is seeing increasing numbers of abandoned pets and a huge influx of unwanted cats amid the cost of living crisis.
Animal rescue officer Holly Walker, said: “When I arrived it quickly became apparent that the kittens had an unbelievable flea burden and their vital signs were extremely poor. The kittens had some of the worst fleas I have ever seen, they were quite literally having the life sucked out of them by hundreds of these parasites; it was as if they were half-dead.
“I took them straight to Finsbury Park Animal Hospital, but sadly the vet could see no other option but to put the kittens to sleep due to their extreme anaemia and body weakness. There really was no life left in them by the time we got to the hospital.
“This has been an incredibly upsetting case, these poor kittens were so unwell and had just been discarded like trash by the bins. They were approximately three or four months in age, so would likely have been like this for quite some time. Fleas like that don’t develop overnight, they must have been living like that for the entire of their short lives.
“There is absolutely no excuse for dumping an animal, and even less so for dumping an animal in such poor health like this. We are urging members of the public to come forward if they have any information that could help us track down the person responsible.
“If local residents have video doorbells, we urge them to check their footage and let us know if they find anything. We would also like to hear from anyone who was in the area on 22 August and might have seen the kittens being dumped.”
Members of the public with information, are urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 1139688.
“Money worries and the cost of living crisis are pushing pet owners to extreme actions.” Holly continued. “We are really seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis on the frontline and our centres are struggling to cope with demand. More and more animals are being abandoned and rehoming is slowing as people battle financial pressures.”
“Dumping the kittens like this was heartless and exceptionally cruel. Their death could have been avoided and it’s heartbreaking that they have suffered so greatly that the only option was to put them to sleep.
“We urge people to contact their local animal welfare groups if they are struggling to care for their animals. Many RSPCA branches can assist with rehoming, financial help for vet costs and even pet food temporarily – or have contacts with other groups who may be able to help.”
Pet owners can find a range of practical help and advice on the RSPCA’s dedicated cost of living hub. The charity has also launched a dedicated phone line for those looking for support (0300 123 0650).
