Seven puppies abandoned in crate during storm

The puppies have been named after storms by the RSPCA staff caring for them

Seven puppies abandoned in a crate near an RSPCA shelter during Storm Claudia were left "in harm's way", the charity said.

The 10-week-old terrier-cross pups were found by a member of staff outside the RSPCA Doncaster Rotherham and District Branch when they arrived at work on Saturday morning.

Daniel Cartwright, branch manager, said the dogs were doing well and seemed to be healthy, but it was "heartbreaking to think that someone had just discarded them".

"They are in safe hands now and we will continue to care for them until they are ready to be put up for adoption," Mr Cartwright added.

The "wet, cold and confused" puppies were left at the side of Great North Road in Bawtry, he said, but did not seem to have been there for long when they were found.

"They were left in conditions that put them in harm's way, especially with the cold and rainy weather," Mr Cartwright said.

They were taken inside by the staff member, Jess, who spent the day warming them up and checking them over.

The animals were "wet, cold and confused" but generally unharmed

Mr Cartwright urged pet owners who were struggling to afford to care for their animals to seek support quickly, rather than "abandoning an animal in their moment of need".

"All they would have needed to have done is wait half an hour, drive up, knock on the door," he said.

"We definitely would have taken those puppies in."

Bram, Dave, Eddie, Marty, Oscar, Patrick and Wubbo were named after storms by RSPCA staff.

The branch asked for the person who left them to get in touch to provide details including their dates of birth and medical history.

The RSPCA branch will look after them until they are ready to be adopted

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