WATCH: CCTV appeal after cat dumped outside Walsall vets
Animal welfare officers are looking for a man caught on CCTV abandoning a cat outside a Walsall vets in the middle of the night.
The RSPCA has launched an investigation after the female cat was dumped outside White Cross Vets, in Leamore Lane, at 3.45am on Monday.
The cat had been left outside for hours having been dumped shortly before 4am – and not being found by staff at the vets until after 8am.
The white and tortoiseshell cat was dumped along with a plastic bag full of cat food and flea treatment.
WATCH: Can you help with this appeal?
Beth Boyd, RSPCA inspector, said: "Staff at the veterinary surgery found her at 8.10am and when they reviewed CCTV they saw that she had been left outside at 3.45am meaning she spent more than four hours locked in the carrier in an unfamiliar place in the middle of the night.
"She must have been terrified.
“The CCTV shows a grey or silver car pulling up outside and a man dressed in dark trousers and a coat, wearing a hat, leaves the cat carrier and a bag by the front door before driving away.
“Inside the plastic bag we found some Catnip, a packet of Dreamies treats, an open bag of Purina GoCat and Clear flea and tick spot on treatment.”
The cat, which has been nicknamed Lea after the road she was abandoned in, is now being cared for by RSPCA staff.
Ms Boyd added: "We understand that people may find themselves in difficult situations and are forced to rehome their animals, but there are better ways to go about it.
“I would urge people who are struggling with their pets to speak to their local vet or rescue centre, or contact a charity for help.”
Officers at the RSPCA are now appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area in the early hours of Monday, or anyone who recognises Lea, the man or the car, to call the appeal's line on 0300 123 8018.
