The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) is urging pet owners to spay or neuter their cats to prevent unwanted litters after five kittens were found dumped outside the gates of its operation in Co Longford.
The kittens were found in a cage by a staff member by the roadside entrance to the society's National Animal Centre.
Gerard Griffin, a senior animal care assistant with the charity, made the discovery on his way into work.
“I noticed a cage and stopped to remove it when I discovered a number of kittens inside,” he said. “I could see there was about five of them huddled together; they were absolutely soaking wet and shivering with the cold.
“It was difficult to determine how long they were there and I was really concerned they were suffering from hypothermia.”
Mr Griffin said the kittens were “lucky to be alive” given the wet and very cold conditions that night.
The animals were assessed by a vet after they were brought inside to be fed and warmed up.
They were deemed to be no more than five weeks old and had already “experienced the very worst start in their little lives,” Mr Griffin said.
Heartless
“It’s heartless to think that someone just left them there all night and simply walked away”.
The kittens have been named Adele, Gavin, Tiffany, Austin and Dylan by the centre’s staff, who hope to rehome them as soon as they have recuperated following their ordeal.
"They are extremely friendly and it is obvious they are well handled and would have had lots of human contact," ISPCA centre manager Trish Spargo said.
“It’s a very irresponsible thing to do. They are very vulnerable and might not have survived the night in this cold weather.”
The ISPCA said it is an offence to abandon an animal and that pet owners should be aware that they “have a responsibility to ensure there are proper provisions in place for their welfare.”
Cats and kittens put up for adoption by the ISPCA are fully vaccinated, treated for parasites, neutered/spayed (if of age), and cat-flap and litter-trained.