Little fighters defy the odds

THE trio of kittens battling for survival

THESE kittens were minutes from death when they were found abandoned with their umbilical cords still attached.

A passer-by spotted the tiny bundles of fur in B&Q car park, Mumps, when the animals were only a few hours old.

He took them to the RSPCA’s Rhodes Bank Centre where staff sprang into action, warming the kittens with hairdryers and heat pads.

Staff believe a feral cat gave birth to the kittens before being disturbed and running away.

Branch manager Mandy Tierney, who has been hand-feeding the kittens every hour since they were taken in on Saturday, said: “I thought they had absolutely no chance of survival because they were only a few hours old and they were freezing cold.

“Their umbilical cords were still attached and all their fur was matted and damp. We never expected them to make it through the first night but they are little fighters.

“Usually in situations like these, there is a 60 per cent chance the kittens will die within their first week so we have been keeping a very close eye on them to make sure we give them the best chance possible.

“They have only just opened their eyes and their ears haven’t fully opened yet. They are starting to clean themselves and each other but we are still toilet training them. They have become very close to each other and are constantly snuggling together for warmth and affection.

“Because they have been used to human contact from the start they will make really loving pets when they are ready to be rehomed.”

The loveable trio — two males and a female — will need round-the-clock care until they are four weeks old. They will be available for adoption in around eight weeks’ time.