Collapsed Cat Left In Bag In March

13 December 2014, 08:31 | Updated: 13 December 2014, 08:32

Collapsed cat dumped inside shopping bag on Cambridgeshire doorstep on cold night

The RSPCA is appealing for information after a collapsed, poorly cat was left on a Cambridgeshire doorstep in a carrier bag early on a cold December morning.

The cat, a tortoiseshell and white female thought to be around three years old, was extremely dehydrated, weak and suffering from hypothermia when she was found at around 5.30am on Monday, December 1 at All Creatures Veterinary Centre in Upwell Road, March.

It is thought she was dumped in the early hours of the morning. Neighbours heard her howling in distress early and so called the vets who found her on the doorstep inside an open Sainsbury's 'bag for life'.

Attempts were made to revive her, but sadly the cat was in such a poorly state that the vets decided the kindest thing to do was put her to sleep to end her suffering.

RSPCA inspector Carrie O'Riordan said: "This poor cat was in a terrible way and was in no fit state to be left outside on such a freezing winter's night.

"She was so weak and collapsed that she couldn’t even get herself out of the bag, poor thing. And she was so cold that her temperature did not even register on the thermometer.

"We don't know the exact cause of the medical condition which left her in such a bad way, or how much of her deterioration was due to that or being left out in such bad weather. It is likely both factors contributed to her condition.

"It may well be that whoever dumped her here thought they were doing the right thing by leaving her outside a vets, but the reality was that leaving her out in such cold made her a lot, lot worse. And the terrible howling the neighbours heard show the incredible distress she was in.

"This was simply no way to treat an animal and we urge anyone with any information to call us on 0300 123 8018."