Rare breed kittens abandoned in a shopping bag

The kittens were found in the car park of an RSPCA centre in Leybourne

Six rare breed kittens have been dumped in a shopping bag outside an animal centre in Kent.

The Scottish Fold cats were left in two carrier cases inside the bag at a car park outside the RSPCA centre in Leybourne on 17 February.

All six felines, who were not microchipped, are "recovering from their ordeal" at the centre, a charity spokesperson said.

The RSPCA is now appealing for information and seeking to trace their owner.

The Scottish Fold cats are being cared for by rescue centre staff

Adam Tasker, animal rescue officer, said: "All the kittens do seem to have been pretty well fed.

"They are being cared for by staff and will remain at the centre while we try to track down their owner.

"While these cats were left where there was expertise at hand to care for them, this is no way for a pet owner to act."

The cats were abandoned in carrier cases inside a shopping bag

The kittens are tabbies and have the distinctive folded ears of their breed.

During January the RSPCA dealt with 1,972 incidents of animals reported abandoned compared to 1,471in the first month of 2024 - a rise of more than 34%.

Mr Tasker said: "If the costs of looking after your pets, including paying the vet bills, is getting too much then the RSPCA has plenty of support in place to turn to."