The RSPCA is appealing for information after two male kittens were discovered dead in a pet carrier in South Yorkshire.
The kittens, a tabby and white and a black and white, aged between six and 12 months, were found last Saturday (27 September) in a field on Leys Lane in Dinnington, Rotherham, near the junction with Doe Quarry Lane.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Katie Hetherington attended the scene after being contacted about the incident. There were no obvious signs of injury, and a local vet said the kittens’ bodies were too decomposed to carry out a post-mortem. Neither kitten was microchipped.
Katie Hetherington said: “It was a really distressing find for the member of the public to come across and we’d like to thank her for stopping to investigate and reporting the matter to us. Given their condition, we think the kittens had sadly been deceased for several days and it wasn’t possible to tell if they were alive or dead when they were put in the carrier.
“It’s always a sad and depressing sight when we see vulnerable young animals in circumstances like this. We don’t know the background, and we appreciate the difficulties some people are experiencing right now, but abandoning your pet, or not seeking appropriate veterinary help if it’s needed, is never acceptable.
“There is help and support available and we would urge people to contact their vets, local rescues and animal welfare charities.”
Anyone with information about the kittens or who was in the area at the time is asked to contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference number 01644239.
The charity rescues over 20,000 cats each year and has repeatedly highlighted the importance of neutering. The RSPCA and other veterinary organisations advise neutering from four months old as a responsible part of pet ownership. Cats waiting for a neutering appointment should be kept indoors in the meantime.
The charity notes that kitten season, typically between April and September, often sees animals abandoned in boxes, bins or by roadsides. Neutering can help reduce the pressure on animal welfare organisations.
With the rising cost of living, the RSPCA encourages owners to register their pets with a vet, check whether local charities offer neutering vouchers, and consider pet insurance to cover unexpected costs.
The charity is also urging people to consider adopting a rescue cat this Adoptober. This summer, the RSPCA cared for 1,737 cats, the highest number ever, more than double the 869 cats in care in July 2020. Large-scale cruelty and neglect cases have contributed to record numbers of animals needing homes. The RSPCA advises anyone looking for a pet to adopt rather than buy.
