A LITTER of five kittens was dumped in a recycling bin outside a house in a Hampshire town, says the RSPCA.

The felines, who were just a week old, were left in the bin on top of cardboard boxes in Cove Road, Farnborough on Thursday, September 26.

During their rounds of bin collections, a worker spotted the cats as the bin was being picked up. The workers took the kittens to a vet in the area, who reported the incident to the RSPCA.

READ MORE: New building officially opened at pet crematorium near Hook

The litter of kittens after being rescuedThe litter of kittens after being rescued (Image: RSPCA Hants and Surrey Border)

The animals have been taken into the care of the RSPCA Hampshire and Surrey Border Branch, and have been named Morel, Magpie, Molly, Penny and Saffron respectively. 

The branch is run by a committee of volunteers and relies on public donations and fundraising to support its animal welfare activities including caring for abandoned, sick and injured animals.

Although the cats were unhurt, Leanna Hone, an inspector for the animal welfare charity, said it is 'frightening' to think about what could have happened to the animals had they not been found.

SEE ALSO: 'Keep your dog on a lead' - Basingstoke woman's plea to 'irresponsible' dog owners

She continued: "There wasn’t any sound of miaowing, but the bin was quite full so the cats were lying on a cardboard box near the top and were fortunately spotted as the bin was being picked up on the round.

“All the kittens are doing well and their eyes are opening. They were given a feed and a clean up and I took them to our local branch which has now placed them with one of their cat fosterers. 

“We are investigating the circumstances of this cruel abandonment. The householder who owned the bin was horrified when they heard these kittens had been placed in it outside their home.

“We are also concerned for the welfare of the cats’ mother, so if anyone knows anything about these kittens and who their owner might be we would urge them to call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident number 01360132.”