Appeal after cat dumped in a cave with no food

The white cat with black patches was found in a cat carrier without food or water

An animal charity has appealed for information after a cat was found abandoned in a cave in Staffordshire.

The white cat with black patches was discovered in a cat carrier at Beech Cave on Beechdale Lane, Tittensor, at about 11:30 BST on Tuesday.

The RSPCA is asking for anyone with information to come forward.

Animal rescue officer Tom Hall said the frightened cat was uninjured but very anxious.

Mr Hall thanked the member of the public who found the animal in the cave and took it to the vets.

“This poor cat was found alone in a cat carrier in this dark cave,” he said.

“He had no food or water with him and was very scared. Luckily he has no obvious signs of injury."

The animal was found by a member of the public at Beech Cave in Tittensor

The cat, which is not microchipped, is set to be transferred to RSPCA North Staffordshire Branch in Stoke-on-Trent who will continue its care.

If an owner was not found, it would be made available for rehoming in the near future, the charity said.

The RSPCA said it received 20,999 calls about abandoned animals last year, a higher annual total than in 2020, 2021 and 2022.