Three kittens have been dumped in a sealed cardboard box just days before Christmas.

The RSPCA is appealing for information after the black and white cats, believed to be around seven weeks old, were discovered by bins in Gravesend.

A member of the public found them on Tuesday (December 19) in Malory Close, Christianfield Avenue.

Animal rescue officer from the RSPCA, Emily Hoad collected the kittens and took them to a centre where they were checked over by a vet.

They have been named Domino, Cluedo and Uno by centre staff.

She said: “These poor kittens were left outside in the cold, trapped inside a cardboard box that had been sealed with sellotape and a small hole poked through the front.

“There was a small white blanket in the box with them.

“We are very grateful that a member of the public took them in and called us to report that they have been abandoned. Who knows what would have happened to them if they had been left there for much longer.

“Aside from needing flea treatment, all three kittens are in surprisingly good condition. They should be in a position to be rehomed in a few weeks.

“We would like to find the person responsible for dumping these poor kittens, they must have been very stressed and cold to be left like that.

“We know that times are tough, but abandoning animals is never the answer - if these poor kittens had not been found, they might not have had such a happy ending.”

It comes as abandonment calls to the animal charity reach a three-year high.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 1199538.