A group of community volunteers stepped in to save a group of cats after they had been dumped and abandoned by their owners.

Cat Lady TNR, who run and organise a trap, neuter and return (TNR) programme for stray and feral cat colonies, were called out to Northfleet Green Road in Gravesend to recover a group of cats.

On April 1, they trapped four kittens who were living outside and moving between gardens in the area with their mum, who they called Marmite.

On the same day, they also managed to trap the dad cat – who was feral.

A trap was put in place for Marmite but after a few days she was still avoiding it.

In a Facebook post, founder and owner Melissa Firrell wrote: “After seven days we had to change tactics and we decided to leaflet the houses in the lane – there were only 10 houses.

“We asked if Marmite was being fed by anyone or if she frequents their garden.

“After half an hour, we had received five phone calls and all the neighbours confirmed they had seen her but weren’t feeding her.”

They then got a phone call from a man who said he had been feeding Marmite as well as another cat, but he had been unable to get close to them.

Melissa addedd: “He asked us to come back to his to look at his set up and show us his videos he had taken of the cats.

“To our surprise, there was another cat appearing who we weren’t aware of. We agreed to help trap both cats, in case the other cat visiting was a lost cat.”

Three days later, they set up a trap in a garden and within 20 minutes the other cat, Pumpkin, appeared.

She was moved from the trap to a carrier and they discovered she was microchipped after running their scanner over her.

They checked her details and called the keeper listed on the microchip – however the owner denied all knowledge of the cat and owning her and quickly hung up on them.

They took Pumpkin home and into foster before taking her for a health check two days later.

She was not neutered but still received a clean bill of health.

Melissa said: “Three days later, after many attempts of Marmite going to the trap to eat the food, she was finally caught.

“At 10pm we raced over to collect her and brought her home in the warm.

“Marmite was petrified but wasn’t feral, we took the opportunity to run the scanner over her and to our shock she was also microchipped.

“Upon checking the details on the microchip, to our utter horror, the same keeper’s name appeared. It transpires that both cats belonged to the same keeper.

“As the keeper refused to engage with us and also denied all knowledge of the cats, we sadly came to the conclusion that both Pumpkin and Marmite were dumped up this country lane.”

A few days later, Marmite went in for her spay and a health check, but it was found that she had Pyometra, which is where the uterus is infected and it can be fatal.

Marmite bled out during her spay and the blood collected in her fat which caused a huge blood clot.

She ended up making it through but will need more vet checks to check the clot is going down before she can be discharged.

Melissa said: “Marmite and Pumpkin didn’t deserve this. They didn’t deserve to be dumped in a lane like a piece of rubbish.

“We are so thankful that the kind neighbours made contact with us and reached out for help. It is highly likely that dear little Marmite wouldn’t have survived much longer if she had been left.

“In the end we received 10 phone calls from all 10 houses we leafleted. The community spirit has been second to none in saving these cats.”

The kittens are now undergoing socialisation.

Pumpkin has been adopted and Marmite is recovering after getting five blood clots removed following an emergency surgery.

The organisation is voluntary-run and donations can be made here.

Melissa added: “We sadly don’t know if more were dumped and we may never know but what we do know is that Pumpkin and Marmite are safe, in the warm and are being loved.

“The man who was feeding both of these sisters fell in love with Pumpkin and has officially adopted her. Dumping animals is not okay, reach out for help.

“Yes everywhere and everyone in the rescue world is busy at the moment and overflowing but we can help and keep you updated on a rescue placement. All we ask is for a little time, to allow us to help and find a space.”