WORTHING, UNITED KINGDOM – Sheila Steere of Paws Animal Sanctuary rescued the female cat just after discovering it in a Henry hoover box, without any kind of bedding or even note explaining its name or age, at around 9.30am on July 4.
Mrs. Steere stated: “Just as I was about to flatten the box and put it in the recycling bin, I realized that it contained a very frightened little cat.
“The poor kitten had probably been outside all night. She was utterly traumatized, shaking and was hiding her face in the corner.
“With our care and kindness she will eventually recover and we will then try to find her a kind and permanent home.”
The cat, who has now been re-named Bella, has begun to purr and eat food after days of not eating.
Tabby kitten Bella was found abandoned in a cardboard box next to a wheelie bin on the drive of Paws Animal Sanctuary in Findon.
Mrs. Steere added: “We at Paws hope that whoever did this has some sense of guilt. She is unfortunately not the first unwanted pet to be left on our doorstep and sadly I don’t suppose the last.”
Paws Animal Sanctuary is now at full capacity with all kinds of animals from guinea pigs to ponies.
Stacey McSpirit, who has been running the charity for more than 20 years, stated: “We have never had so many cats here before. We’re supposed to be a nation of animal lovers but we don’t see much of that here.
“People can be so wicked. It’s not unusual for unwanted pets to be left near our doorstep. In the past, we have rescued two small rabbits that were horribly dumped in Worthing tip and kittens that were left under a van in the winter with no blanket.”
Mrs. McSpirit went on to explain that as many people are losing their jobs and homes they can no longer look after their pets.
She advised people who could no longer take care of their pets to use services such as Cat Welfare in Worthing and Alexandra Bastedo Champions Animal Sanctuary in West Chiltington.
