Public help sought after 7 kittens found dumped in suitcase at Athelstone
December 27, 2022RSPCA South Australia is seeking public assistance to find the person or persons responsible for leaving seven kittens inside a fully zipped up suitcase in the middle of a carpark yesterday.
A local resident on his daily walk spotted the large, grey suitcase in the carpark beside the Athelstone Recreation Reserve on Lower Athelstone Rd just after 8am. He gently tapped it and noticed it was heavy, so he unzipped it and was shocked to discover it contained kittens. Four of them are approximately 10-weeks-old and the remaining three are approximately three-weeks-old, meaning they are neo-natal and would not yet be weaned.
The finder carried the kittens in the suitcase back to his home, gave them all water and called RSPCA. A rescue officer collected them and transported the older four to RSPCA’s Lonsdale shelter. The three neo-natal kittens require feeding every four hours, so they immediately went into foster care with an RSPCA staff member.
Aside from being visibly frightened, the four older kittens are in good condition and recovering from their ordeal. The more vulnerable younger kittens are also expected to fully recover. With temperatures soaring to a maximum of 32C yesterday, RSPCA SA Rescue Officer Nalika van Loenen said it was extremely lucky someone found the kittens early in the day.
“To be zipped up inside a dark, airless suitcase is such an awful thing for any animal to endure,” Ms van Loenen said.
“Being so young, it’s highly likely these kittens would have perished in yesterday’s heat if not found when they were.
“It is both shockingly cruel and unnecessary, when there are humane options to surrender unwanted animals to a reputable animal welfare organisation like RSPCA or find them new homes.”
The incident is now under investigation by RSPCA SA’s inspectorate. Abandoning an animal is an offence under South Australia’s Animal Welfare Act, and anyone found guilty can face up to 2 years imprisonment or a $20,000 fine.
Anyone with information that might assist this investigation is urged to contact RSPCA on: 1300 4 777 22
