SEVEN kittens left in appalling condition have been dumped outside a cats’ home, prompting a further call for people to think twice before abandoning their pets.

St Helens Cats Protection Centre on Chester Lane in Sutton Manor is caring for the kittens, which were abandoned in a cat carrier.

When it was opened staff first thought there were just five inside.

However, once they were taken out they discovered a further two undernourished animals underneath.

The cats’ eyes were fused together, they were sneezing and their breathing was laboured and they were infected with cat flu.

The staff took the animals to the vets, where they were treated with antibiotics and were placed in isolation to prevent the risk of spreading the virus among other cats at the centre.

Sonia Scowcroft from Cats Protection said: “It is a real shame as this could have been easily prevented with up-to-date vaccinations of the adult cats. The owners could have placed the cats on our waiting list early so we could have brought them into the centre before the infection became so serious.

“The kittens have made a full recovery thanks to the swift treatment provided by our vet plus the care and focus of the staff at the centre and are now healthy and ready to find a new loving home.”

For advice about caring for a cat call the St Helens Adoption Centre on 01744 817 718.