THE RSPCA has launched an investigation after a mother cat and her four tiny newborn kittens - with their umbilical cords still attached - were found tied up in a bin bag.

The long-haired black and white female cat and her four babies were found abandoned in Scarborough.

Inspector Laura Barber said: “A man was walking home from work past the football ground on Edgehill Road, in Scarborough, at around 6.30pm on Tuesday evening (24 November) when he heard a cat in a distressed state. He found the poor mum and her kittens tied up in a double-bagged bin liner dumped on the grass verge, took them home with him and called us.

“He kindly agreed to take care of them overnight until I was able to collect them on Wednesday morning and I took them straight to a local vet.

“Miraculously, they all seem to be in good condition, mum is doing really well and is feeding all of her kittens. They’ve all got fleas so will be treated for that and monitored until they can move to RSPCA Scarborough & District branch.

“This little family was incredibly lucky. It was very chilly last night and they’d been tied up inside two plastic bags so could have easily suffocated or succumbed to the cold.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to this lovely passerby who undoubtedly saved their lives by rescuing them and taking them home.

“We’ll now take good care of them and, once the kittens are old enough, we’ll find them all lovely new homes.”

Inspector Barber is appealing to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area on Tuesday or who recognises the cat to contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

The charity is extremely concerned that it will be pushed to the limit this winter and is bracing for the toughest Christmas yet as the financial strain from the Coronavirus pandemic impacts families across the country.

Laura added: “We’re really worried that more pets who have been bought during lockdown could become neglected or abandoned as people begin to return to normal once this second lockdown is lifted. And we’re also concerned that as people lose their jobs and are hit with higher costs due to the pandemic, that more pets could be at risk and charities will be stretched to the limits.

“That’s why we’re appealing to the public to Join the Christmas Rescue and help us help the animals who need us this winter.”

This winter, the RSPCA expects to rescue thousands of animals from neglect, cruelty and suffering. To help our rescue teams reach the thousands of animals who desperately need us, visit www.rspca.org.uk/xmas and Join the Christmas Rescue #JoinTheRescue. Donating £25 could help to keep an animal rescue team on the road.