Heartbreaking.

The Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has urged pet owners to spay or neuter their cats after five kittens were found dumped in Co. Longford recently. The kittens were found in a cage by a staff member of the charity at the roadside entrance to the ISPCA’s National Animal Care centre. Gerard Griffin, senior Animal Care Assistant, said that the kittens were lucky to be alive.

“I noticed a cage and stopped to remove it when I discovered a number of kittens inside,” he said. “I could see there was about five of them huddled together; they were absolutely soaking wet and shivering with the cold.

“It was difficult to determine how long they were there and I was really concerned they were suffering from hypothermia.”

After being assessed by a vet, the kittens were deemed to be no more than five weeks old.

Mr Griffin said that they had already “experienced the very worst start in their little lives".

"It’s heartless to think that someone just left them there all night and simply walked away," he added.

The kittens are now being cared for by the ISPCA and have been named Adele, Gavin, Tiffany, Austin and Dylan by staff. The charity are hoping to rehome them as soon as they have recovered following their harrowing ordeal.

ISPCA centre manager Trish Margo wants to remind pet owners that it is an offence abandon animals. "These kittens experienced a very traumatic start in life," she said. "It is a very irresponsible thing to do. They are vulnerable and might not have survived the night in this cold weather. "It is an offence to abandon an animal and pet owners need to be aware they have a responsibility to ensure there are proper provisions in place for their welfare. "You cannot just abandon kittens simply because you don't want them. By having cats neutered or spayed it would  prevent accidental litters of kittens from being born in the first place." Information on rehoming pets rescued by the ISPCA can be found here.