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RSPCA appeal after urine soaked cat is abandoned in carrier in locked alley

THE RSPCA is appealing to the public to come forward with information after a friendly natured female cat was abandoned in the rain in a filthy carrier, in St Helens.

A member of the public found the young black cat dumped ½way down a locked alley on Sunday 8 February. The lane was at the rear of terraced houses in Gladstone Street.

She was found soaking wet and covered in urine, sitting on a dirty blanket with several open sores visible on her legs and paws.

After the incident was reported to the RSPCA, she was collected by Animal Rescue Officer Ben Marshall and taken from the finder's home to:- Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for urgent treatment.

A scan for a microchip revealed she was called Mabel, although the current owner's details were not registered.

Ben said:- "Mabel is such a friendly girl who immediately wanted lots of fuss and attention. As a cat owner myself it was really upsetting to see such a sweet-natured pet abandoned like this. The blanket she was sitting on was sodden with all the rain we've been having and she was heavily stained in urine which had caused discolouring on her white fur. Given the really dire conditions inside the carrier, and the fact her balance wasn't great at 1st, we can't rule out the possibility that she could possibly have been living in the carrier longer term."

Mabel was x rayed at the RSPCA's animal Hospital and thankfully no abnormalities were found. However, she was given a low body condition score by the vet who examined her. Her wounds were cleaned and she was given pain relief and started on a course of antibiotics.

She was temporarily looked after at the RSPCA's Warrington, Halton & St Helens Branch and is now receiving ongoing care by the team at Warrington Animal Welfare who chipped and neutered her originally.

The RSPCA has made enquiries locally and is following up information. The alley where she was found has high locked gates at either end and can only be accessed with a key.

Ben added:- "We'd like to thank the member of the public who stopped to help Mabel and to Warrington Animal Welfare who are now looking after her and providing lots of much-needed TLC. We're hopeful she will go on to make a full recovery."

Mabel is black with a white bib and paws and is estimated to be between:- 1 and 2 years old.

Anyone who recognises her or has information which could help the RSPCA's investigation is urged to contact:- 03001238018 quoting reference number:- 01732088.

If you find a small pet who has been abandoned, the quickest way to get them help is to take them directly to a local vet or rescue centre who can then call in the expertise of RSPCA teams if there's evidence that the animal has been neglected or abused. There's more information on how to safely handle and transport an animal on the RSPCA website.