RSPCA launches investigation after two kittens abandoned near Victoria Park

Claudia and Marmalade were abandoned on Ruthven Street. Photograph: RSPCA

The RSPCA has launched an investigation after two tiny kittens were found abandoned in a crate on a doorstep near Victoria Park.

A resident discovered the frightened kittens on Ruthven Street at around 9am on Friday 18 July.

They had been left inside a damp grey and white cat carrier with a plastic bag placed on top, and had no access to food or water.

The kittens—one ginger, one black—were taken to the RSPCA’s Finsbury Park Animal Hospital.

The black one has been named Claudia, and the ginger one Marmalade.

The kittens are now being looked after by vets. Photograph: RSPCA

Animal rescue officer Nicola Thomas, who is leading the investigation into their abandonment, said: “These were tiny, defenceless kittens who must have been terrified—dumped without their mother, food, or water, and exposed to the heat.”

The charity is urging anyone who saw anything suspicious around Ruthven Street to call its appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and quote incident number 01579363.

Thomas added: “It’s a busy area near Victoria Park, and someone may have spotted the carrier being dropped off or carried.”

The kittens were found in this carrier. Photograph: RSPCA

The RSPCA is braced for an influx of kittens between May and September, when there is a huge peak in cat breeding and the majority of kittens are born.

Unexpected litters of kittens often end up abandoned or given up.

The charity recorded 27,853 incidents about cats in need last year, with more than half of those between May and September.

Shockingly, almost 8,000 of those reports concerned abandoned cats.

So far this year, the charity has received nearly 3,000 reports of abandoned cats and it expects this number to rise significantly during breeding season.

Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “With the cost of living crisis putting an extra strain on people’s finances, we’re concerned that we may see more cats than ever in need of help at a time when our centres are already full-to-bursting.

“This is why we have issued an urgent plea to the public to help us tackle the cat overpopulation crisis by ensuring they’re neutering their cats, by helping local stray cats, fostering or volunteering for a rescue and, if they are looking to bring a cat into their homes, to make sure they adopt, don’t shop.”

If you come across a dumped cat or kittens, the fastest way to help is to take them directly to a vet, who can treat the animals and alert the RSPCA if needed.

If you believe an animal has been abandoned at a property, please call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

In a separate investigation, the RSPCA is looking into reports of a man teasing dogs with a live rabbit on Mare Street in Hackney.

The incident took place at around 6pm on 26 June outside Hackney Jewellers and the charity wants to speak to a man who may hold vital information.

The charity wants to speak to this man. Photograph: RSPCA

The man is described as Asian or West-Indian, in his 60s, with long, thick grey hair, and between around 5ft7 and 5ft11 in height.

He rides a black bicycle with instruments attached to it.

The probe is being led by RSPCA officer Jaqueline Schultz, who said: “This behaviour is extremely distressing for both the dogs and the rabbit, and we are particularly worried about the rabbit’s welfare.

“We are very keen to identify and speak with this man who may be able to help with our enquiries.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and quote incident number 01559919.

To help the RSPCA continue its rescue and rehabilitation work, the charity is calling on the public to donate to its Summer Cruelty Appeal at rspca.org.uk/endcruelty.