An RSPCA animal centre in Surrey has already been inundated with orphaned kittens as kitten season begins.
Kitten season usually runs from May to September and is the time of year when most kittens are born and already, RSPCA Millbrook in Chobham, Surrey has been caring for 11 tiny kittens.
Eight of the kittens were taken into RSPCA care after their mother gave birth in a garden in Grazeley, Reading, but was scared off by a dog and did not come back for them.
The trio if kittens, called Hades, Hercules and Thor were found in a box and dumped in a bin in Brammas Close in Slough last week. The kittens were four weeks old when they were found by a member of the public who contacted the RSPCA.
Now all the kittens are being hand reared by four members of staff which means they need to be fed round-the clock as they are too young to be away from their mum.
Chloe Benson, Animal Care Assistant at RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre, said: “The kitten season has well and truly begun with our 11 hand reared kittens who are now being cared for by RSPCA staff. IT’s incredible to see these vulnerable orphans become stronger every day.
“Sadly, we do see many kitten coming into our care at this time of year. This could be due to them being abandoned, often litters may have been unplanned, and owners find that they cannot cope with unplanned litters of kittens, or they could be stray kittens who have lost their mum.
“The UK is facing a cat overpopulation crisis and we believe the solution to this is to neuter cats from four months old to avoid these unplanned litters.”
The RSPCA reports that last year there were 197 cats abandoned in Surrey and 128 abandoned in Berkshire. The charity sees shocking peaks in cats abandoned during the summer months, with 58% more cats being dumped in July last year compared to January.
The RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre in Surrey has already received lots of support with donated blankets, bottles, kitten formula, toys and food.
Anyone who would like to donate to the centre can contact them on 0300 123 0740.
