Two kittens have been found tied in a bin liner and dumped in a graveyard in Mullaghbawn.
A member of the public made the discovery recently and contacted the USPCA and the animals were taken into the care of charity’s Animal Hospital in Newry.
The Chief Executive of USPCA, Brendan Mullen, hit out at those who “callously discarded” the weeks-old kittens, revealing that they would have died within days had they not been rescued.
He pledged the USPCA will ensure “good homes with caring owners” are found for the kittens, action that is in “sharp contrast to the heartless individual who callously discarded them to their fate”, he added.
Abandoning unwanted animals is both cruel and unnecessary, Mr Mullen said, pointing out that there are animal shelters and charities willing to help care for them and find suitable homes.
A female cat can produce three litters each per year with an average of four kittens each time. Within a year the females will reach puberty and numbers of offspring can skyrocket giving rise to feral cat colonies.
Mr Mullen advised cat owners to have their pet spayed or neutered to help prevent such circumstances, adding that those on some social benefits can avail of financial schemes to help defray the cost.