Dumped in a cardboard box just a few days after being born and left to die by their callous owners.

This was to be the fate of six tiny kittens found in Dover earlier this month, but ended up being one of thousands of cases the RSPCA takes on every year.

The number of creatures great and small being abused, abandoned but ultimately rescued by the protection society is on the rise in the region, and at the launch of RSPCA Week, the charity is urging people to spare a thought for the multitude of animals forced to suffer when their owners tire of them.

Last year, the RSPCA came to the aid of nearly 30,000 animals in the South East, including farm animals, birds, reptiles, woodland creatures and countless cats and dogs.

A total of 1,602 abandoned animals – more than half of which were cats – were rescued in 2007 compared to 1,543 the previous year, and the figures for the first four months of 2008 are far from encouraging.

The kittens found in Dover on April 18 were abandoned when they were around two days old. Sadly, one has since died, but the remaining five are being hand-reared at the charity’s Leybourne branch.

Last week, a seriously ill Syrian hamster was found dumped in an alleyway in Margate, and brought to the RSPCA for help.

The animal, which had a tumour on the side of its head and was found in a filthy cage, sadly had to be put to sleep to end its suffering.

In February, four cats thought to be less than a year old were left in a cat carrier in the driveway of a Bromley vets.

RSPCA Inspector Sonya Gray said: "These cats (which have since been re-homed) were just dumped where they could have been run over.”

Commenting on the figures Paul Stilgoe, South East Regional Superintendent, said: “The RSPCA works around the clock to rescue thousands of animals every year from a wide range of distressing situations and 2007 was no exception.

“From birds injured by oil spills to cattle suffering from foot and mouth disease, and cats in road traffic accidents to dogs simply abandoned by their owners, the RSPCA was on hand to help all types of animals whatever the emergency.

“Last summer we also deployed the biggest number of RSPCA staff for a generation to the rescue of farm animals, horses and other much-loved pets from the severe floods that swept the country.”

The RSPCA is urging members of the public to think very carefully before getting a new pet about the responsibility they are taking on, to prevent more animals suffering unnecessarily.

Mr Stilgoe added: “It is an offence to abandon any animal and there is never any excuse for doing so. If people have pets they cannot care for, for any reason, then help and advice is always available from the RSPCA.”

To find out more about the week visit www.rspcaweek.org.uk