Kittens found dumped near SPCA shelter in Waikanae

LUCKY: Four kittens, dumped near Wellington SPCA's Waikanae shelter, with a box they were found near. A fifth kitten has died.

Wellington SPCA is appealing for information about the person responsible for dumping five kittens close to its Waikanae animal shelter.

The five kittens were found only 300m from the shelter, in scrub, close to an Electrolux vacuum cleaner box, yesterday.

Four of the five kittens, who are around six weeks of age and unable to fend for themselves, are now in the care of Wellington SPCA who are appealing for public help to identify the person who dumped them.

A fifth kitten, of around 10 weeks of age, was found dead some metres away from where the box and other kittens were found.

Wellington SPCA senior animal welfare Inspector Peter McCallum, said, "It is appalling that these kittens have been dumped, but even more so to see where.

"Someone has dumped these kittens just a few hundred metres away from our Waikanae centre.

"They could have come to us for help, instead they chose to leave these defenceless young animals in a location where they are lucky to have been found."

He said the society was working with a local retailer to review CCTV footage and are following other lines of inquiry, but need the public to come forward with any information that could aid in their investigation.

The four surviving kittens, very hungry upon arrival, are now warm, comfortable and fed in the Waikanae shelter, and will receive treatment from SPCA staff.

A post-mortem of the deceased kitten will be carried out by Wellington SPCA veterinary hospital in Newtown.

An Electrolux vacuum cleaner box containing towels covered in kitten faeces was found at the scene and taken back to the SPCA as evidence.

"The box is for a new model 'Watermelon Red' Electrolux vacuum," Mr McCallum said.

"We are hopeful that someone will recognise the box in this photo and be able to provide information that could help us locate the person responsible."

It is an offence against the Animal Welfare Act 1999 to desert an animal, and anyone convicted for doing so could face up to 12 months in jail and/or a $50,000 fine.

Wellington SPCA asks for anyone with information about who could be responsible to contact them on 0800 INSPECTOR.