Three starving kittens dumped in Totton on Christmas Eve

The moggies were drenched and starving after spending a night in the elements with only a towel to cover them.

A dog walker from Totton stumbled across the felines on the morning before Christmas, and immediately phoned Cats Protection charity shop Southampton.

Carolyne Kemp, volunteer at the charity for more than 24 years, said there was “lots of poo and urine” in their shared carrier.

“We think they were left outside all night because of their condition”, the 61-year-old said.

The cats – two black and one tabby – were brought to the Cats protection charity shop in Totton precinct.

Totton shop volunteer Arnold Gulwell and manager Mel Gunn with the kittens (Image: Cats Protection) Despite their ordeal, the kittens were very friendly to volunteers – especially after they were fed.

Shop manager, Mel Gunn, said: “A gentleman rang us as soon as we opened to say he’d found three kittens dumped in a plastic carrier while he was out walking his dog.

"I could hear he was shaken at the discovery and told him to bring them straight to us and we’d contact our local rehoming branch.

"We held them close to help them warm up then cleared out our donation bin to keep them safe."

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Carolyne said a foster carer was quickly sought and the kittens have been festively named Tinsel, Sprout, and Holly. 

Holly, Sprout, and Tinsel with their foster carer (Image: Cats Protection) Sadly, this is not the first time Carolyne has encountered a situation like this.

In her near 25 years as a volunteer, she described 2024 as one of the worst years she has seen.

She said: “The cost-of-living crisis has had an effect, and people cannot afford to take their pets to the vets as they are charging exorbitant prices.

“Cat abandonment has gone through the roof this year, and it is happening countrywide.

“We offer subsided neutering for people who cannot it, but lots of people do not know we offer this.”

Carolyne added: “The kittens were wet and starving when they were found, but otherwise were ok.

“Luckily, we had some kitten food at the shop we could give them.

“People can register their interest for the kittens on our website.”