A Kent branch of the RSPCA says it has seen a surge in cats and kittens coming into its care since Covid restrictions were lifted.

Among animals being cared for at the Canterbury charity are four kittens that were found abandoned in a taped-up cardboard box in London last week.

They are now in the care of the RSPCA Canterbury, alongside 38 other cats.

The branch says the incident forms part of a worrying rise in abandoned pets.

During the lockdown last July, Google searches for ‘kittens near me’ saw a 667% increase compared to the previous year, as people rushed to find feline friends to keep them company at home.

But Natalie Archer, funding manager at the RSPCA Canterbury, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have seen an influx in cats and kittens coming into our care as everything has opened up again now that the Covid restrictions have been lifted.

"We have seen quite a lot of abandoned cats recently and the worry is that a lot of people who bought pets during the pandemic may now be struggling to care for them as they have gone back to work.

"Or perhaps litters of kittens have been born as owners could not get their cats neutered due to vets needing to prioritise emergencies.

“We have also been temporarily boarding cats for people who have sadly been evicted from their homes as the Covid restrictions which meant landlords could not evict their tenants has now come to an end too.”

The branch currently has 41 cats in its care including the four ginger kittens.

To help support RSPCA Canterbury, visit its website.

To adopt a cat or kitten, email: info@rspca-canterbury.org.uk.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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