Cat and four kittens dumped in Walker's crisp box and abandoned in park
A cat and her four kittens were found dumped in a Walker's crisp box and abandoned in the freezing weather - officers are now investigating.
The RSPCA is urging anyone with information to come forward after the animals were discovered in a Birmingham Park.
They were found after a woman driving along Golden Hillock Road on Saturday night slammed on the brakes when a tiny kitten ran in front of her car.
She managed to stop in time and got out to check the little cat was ok, which is when she spotted the Walker's crisp box in Akers Park.
RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal, who was called to collect the frightened cats, said: “The mother cat was sat beside the box and one kitten was outside running around while the others were huddled inside the cardboard.
“It was below freezing on Saturday night so I’m certain the poor kittens could well have perished if they’d not been found by this lovely lady. They’re only a few weeks old and are extremely vulnerable."
The woman took the cats home and promptly contacted the RSPCA, before Inspector Boal drove them to the charity’s Newbrook Farm Animal Hospital nearby.
He added: “We’re in this midst of a spell of extremely cold and treacherous weather so for someone to decide to abandon a mother cat and her kittens in this is just despicable.
“Thankfully, this lady was able to take them home and keep them warm until we could collect them and we’d like to thank her for her kindness.
"Now, I’d like to hear from anyone who might know where these cats have come from or who is responsible for so cruelly dumping them."
The cat, now called Disco, and her six-week-old kittens - KP, NikNak, Pringle and Skip - are being cared for by staff at the RSPCA’s Newbrook Farm where they are doing well.
Inspector Boal said: "Sadly, this is something the RSPCA seems all too often, mums and their litters of kittens all on their own being abandoned by owners who ended up with unplanned kittens.
"This is why we urge all cat owners to get their pets neutered or spayed to avoid even more unwanted litters. The RSPCA is inundated with kittens every year and us, along with other charities, are struggling to cope with the strain this puts on resources."
Anyone with information can call 0300 123 8018.
