The RSPCA is appealing for information after two cats and a kitten were rescued from a woodland area in Davy Down Riverside Park, Grays.
Sadly a further two kittens were also believed to have been abandoned at the same time at the location – but despite a number of searches there has been no sign of them.
A member of the public had reported the incident to the rescue group Cat Lady TNR, who attended the location on August 26 and installed a camera and left food for the cats. Later that same day they were able to rescue two adult cats and a kitten. The remaining two kittens were not seen. The camera and food was left in situ and further searches carried out but no others were found.
A cardboard box was also found at the location with air holes inside it – nothing else was found inside the box.
The incident has been reported to the RSPCA who are investigating and are keen to hear from anyone that may have information in relation to the abandonments of these cats.
RSPCA Inspector Jen Wildman has been following up a number of leads but is now appealing for the public’s help.
She said: “We have been carrying out a number of enquiries in the area – and we are now appealing for the public’s help. We want to locate the person that dumped them between 24.8.25 and 26.8.25 or if anybody recognises the cats and who may have owned them.
“We are grateful to the charity for rescuing the cats and the kittens and for all their help with this investigation.
“It’s heartbreaking to think that two more kittens were believed to have been abandoned with the other cats – but sadly despite the best efforts of this charity they have not been seen at all.
“We are appealing for information and would urge anyone who may recognise the cats or may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area – or who may know who owned these felines to please call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident 01617821
The mother and daughter duo named Davina (mum) and Davonna are set to go to a new home and Davita was also recently rehomed to a loving family.
A spokesperson for TNT said: “Every day, rescues across the country are faced with heartbreaking cases of cats being abandoned. Sometimes they’re left in open spaces, other times hidden away, like in this recent incident at Davy Down. It’s a sad reflection of the throwaway culture we live in, where some people see animals as disposable.
“Right now, the UK is facing a cat crisis. With uncontrolled breeding and rising numbers of stray cats, the situation is overwhelming.
“We are deeply grateful that this family of cats was found by a passerby. Sadly, we may never know what became of the missing kittens, and we can only hope they were taken in and given a safe, loving home.”
