Litter of five kittens found in a bin in Farnborough

This comes as data has been released by the RSPCA showing that the number of animals abandoned in England and Wales during the winter period has increased by 51 per cent in three years, and 12 per cent in Hampshire.

The charity has released the statistics to highlight the battle frontline rescuers face ahead of what is expected to be another bleak winter for thousands of animals as part of its Join The Christmas Rescue campaign. 

In Hampshire latest figures show the number of abandonment reports to the RSPCA for 2023 was 423, up from 379  in 2021 when the cost of living crisis began.

The RSPCA believes the surge in pet ownership during the Covid-19 lockdown and the increasing financial hardships due to soaring living costs have led to the increase in people dumping their pets. 

And now, during the winter months, the RSPCA expects the crisis to worsen as more people struggle with the increase in expenditure around Christmas time with presents to buy and extra food shopping - coupled with an increase in energy bills.  

This litter of five cats, who are only a week old, were rescued by refuse collectors who were on their round on Cove Road in Farnborough on the morning of Thursday, September 26. The refuse collectors took the cats to a nearby vets and the matter was then reported to the RSPCA.

Thankfully, the kittens were unhurt by their ordeal and were taken into the care of the RSPCA Hampshire and Surrey Border Branch where staff have named them Morel, Magpie, Molly, Penny and Saffron. They will be rehomed once they are old enough.

The kittens were found abandoned in a bin (Image: RSPCA)

RSPCA Inspector Leanna Hone, who is investigating the abandonment, said: “It is frightening to think what could have happened to these young kittens had they not been spotted by the refuse collectors. 

“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 were going well and were placed with one of the branch’s cat fosterers to get them ready for a new home.”

RSPCA chief inspector Ian Briggs added: “Right now, far too many animals are suffering behind closed doors. But as long as animals are in desperate need this Christmas, we won’t stop. 

“So please Join The Christmas Rescue and together we will bring joy and safety to animals. For thousands of terrified and injured animals, we’ll turn the worst suffering into the best Christmas yet – because it will be the one where their lives change forever, and the start of many happier Christmases to come."