Investigation after cats and kittens dumped in New Ferry

Two female cats were found dumped in a cat carrier outside Broadway Veterinary Surgery in Kings Lane last Monday, September 6.

Both were flea ridden and urine stained on their legs suggesting they had been kept in poor conditions and found in a brand new cat carrier with the stickers still on.

The same day, two other female cats were found dumped outside Parkside Veterinary surgery in New Ferry.

Both were described as in a similar state of health but with poor teeth requiring dental surgery and were in the same type of new cat carrier (pictured below).

These abandonments followed a report from another local cat charity which had rescued a female adult cat along with two litters of four kittens - four were aged about eight weeks old and two aged about three weeks old (one is pictured  below)

The charity reported the matter to the RSPCA and animal rescuer Inspector Helen Smith was sent to investigate on August 24.

All were in poor health with fleas and bitemarks and they all had serious worm infestations.

Sadly, both of the youngest kittens died within hours due to flea anaemia (one is pictured, below).

One of the other older kittens also died due to worm compaction - which the vet said is the worst case she had seen in her career.

Helen believes all three cases are related and is concerned there may be other kittens in similar poor health in the area or other people may have taken on kittens with similar health issues.

She said: "It seems more than a coincidence that we have three cases in a couple of miles radius of kittens being found in poor health.

"In the latest two cases the kittens were found in exactly the same brand new cat carriers with the labels still on outside two vets on the same day.

"I am very concerned that these poor kittens are in such a poor state of health that three have died and the others needed urgent veterinary attention.

"All were in such a state and were terribly frightened."

Kittens that were found dumped

"It does raise concerns that more kittens may be suffering in similar conditions so I am keen to trace anyone who has taken on a kitten recently suffering in this way from the New Ferry area."

Anyone who can help the investigation should call the RSPCA appeals line on 0300 123 8018.

All the cats and kittens are now receiving veterinary treatment and are in RSPCA care where they remain until they are ready to find new homes.

The two female adults found outside Parkside Vets are currently in the care of the Southport, Ormskirk and District branch and will need expensive dental work before they can be rehomed.

The others are in the care of the Wirral and Chester branch of the RSPCA and will be rehomed once they are in good health.

Both branches already have many animals available for adoption including cats, kittens and dogs.

You can find out more by visiting the Wirral branch website or Southport branch website.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit our website or call our donation line on 0300 123 8181.