A group of runner ducks have been dumped in cardboard box at the side of the road in Strood.

A member of the public found the box in Sycamore Road, Strood, next to a bottle bank on June 4.

Janine Pemberthy, from the RSPCA’s Leybourne Animal Centre, in West Malling, said: “These poor birds had been left in a cardboard box with no air holes and had simply been dumped by the side of the road, next to a bottle bank.

“They must have been very disorientated and frightened.

“Thank goodness they were spotted by someone who knew what to do and brought them to us."

She added that if the birds, now named Daffy, Donald and Jemima, hadn't have been found they could have died.

Janine said: “If they hadn’t have been found then they could well have perished inside the box without anyone knowing.

"Or they could have been accidentally collected and crushed in a refuse lorry, it doesn’t bear thinking about.”

The ducks are now being looked after by staff at the animal centre and are living in an enclosure with two other rescue ducks.

Once staff have fully assessed them, they will be available for rehoming.

“We’d like to find them a lovely home where they can enjoy being ducks,” Janine added.

“They’ll need an enclosure and duck house where they’ll be safe from any potential predators and will also need access to water.

“Ducks can make wonderful pets so we’re sure we’ll be able to find this trio a lovely forever home.”

If you’d like to offer them a home, please contact RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre on 0300 123 0751. Or to find out more about animals up for rehoming at the RSPCA, visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet.

To help the RSPCA continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/give or text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).