Cats Protection plea after nine kittens found in box

CHARITY volunteers have made a plea for anyone who is struggling to care for a cat to think twice before abandoning them after nine kittens were found in a cardboard box.

Cats Protection Honiton & Axe Valley took in the young cats who were found by a dog walker at the side of a road in Broadhembury.

The quick-thinking animal-lover immediately began calling around local rescue and rehoming organisations and the volunteer-run branch was able to take them in.

The kittens ranged from underweight to healthy and all needed treating for fleas and worms.

There were six girls and three boys who have been named Caramel, Fudge, Toffee, Cocoa, Truffle, Mocha, Praline, Cinnamon and Kirsch because they were all very sweet and arrived in a box.

Bob Carter, Branch Coordinator, says: "We believe they are from two separate litters, one of six and one of three kittens and that they were aged around three weeks and two weeks respectively when they were found.

"At such a young age kittens should not be away from their mothers, they are incredibly vulnerable. They cannot eat or toilet on their own, they are very wobbly on their paws and cannot maintain their own body temperature. There is never any excuse for dumping a cat, but these kittens would certainly have died if they hadn't been found when they were. We would urge anybody who is struggling to reach out to us, a fellow rescue organisation or vet."

With so many young mouths to feed, the branch which fundraises to cover all its costs, has created a JustGiving page for anyone who would like to help them keep the kittens fed and thriving: www.justgiving.com/page/honiton-cats-protection-chocolateboxkittens

The kittens will be advertised on www.cats.org.uk/honiton when they are ready for a new home.