Heartbreak as tiny kittens' dead bodies found in woods at Sheffield golf club
Warning: Story includes pictures some may find distressing
A shocked walker has discovered the dead bodies of a litter of tiny kitchens, in woods on a well-known Sheffield golf course.
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The animal welfare charity the RSPCA has revealed that the bodies of six kittens were found in the wooded area of Dore and Totley golf club in Sheffield, and has launched in investigation into how they came to die.
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They said a member of the public called the animal welfare charity after making the distressing discovery late in August.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Danielle Drury said: “This was a very distressing discovery. The bodies of six kittens were found together in a wooded area of the golf club.
“The kittens were only around three weeks old and were heavily decomposed, suggesting they had been there for several days. They were black or black-and-white.
“It is unusual for six kittens of this age to be found together in these circumstances, and we are keen to establish what happened to them.
She said they were trying to establish whether anyone was in the area on Tuesday, August 25, when they were found, and saw anything that could assist their investigation. They were found at around 11.50, and anyone with information is urged to contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01890082.
The appeal comes at the end of the busy summer period, when the RSPCA typically receives an influx of calls involving kittens and abandoned cats.
Ms Drury added: “We typically see an influx of kittens and more calls about abandoned cats during kitten season - at this time of year - and with the cost of living putting an extra squeeze on people’s finances, we’ve had a tough summer at a time when our rescue centres are already full to bursting.
“The summer months are our busiest time of year and our frontline rescue teams, specialist vets, behaviourists, rehabilitation and rehoming teams, will be working tirelessly to help as many animals as possible.”
They charity is running Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign to highlight this trend, which it describes as ‘shocking’ .
The charity continues to urge people to neuter their pets from an appropriate age to help deal with the numbers of unwanted pets.
Ms Drury added: “Cat owners who neuter their cats from four months of age will help to tackle this surge in unwanted pets.
“Kittens can become pregnant themselves as early as four months which is why booking an appointment with a vet for early neutering is so important.”