A carrier containing freezing-cold kittens was found dumped outside a railway station.

Three black cats were discovered in soiled blankets by a member of the public at around 7pm on Sunday evening (December 3).

The 12-week-old kittens were dumped at Chatham Railway station without food and water but otherwise appeared to be in good condition.

They are now under the care of the RSPCA and have been named Roberta, Peter and Phyllis after The Railway Children.

Inspector Kirsten Ormerod, who is investigating on behalf of the animal welfare charity, said: “These poor kittens were incredibly cold when they were discovered by a member of the public.

“They’d been dumped in the crate with just a soiled bed and without food and water.

“If they hadn’t been found, who knows what could have happened, it’s an extremely cruel thing to do with unwanted pets.

She added: “Thanks to the person who found them, they are now safe and well at one of our centres, and will be cared for there until they are able to be rehomed.”

Anyone with information on where the kittens came from is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01192919.

The animal welfare charity is on course to see a 32.9% rise in abandonment calls this year.

Already this year, up to the end of October, it has received 17,838 reports of abandoned animals across England and Wales. If trends continue there will be 21,417 reports over 2023.

This compares with 16,118 reports in 2020, 17,179 in 2021 and 19,645 in 2022.