A LOVING owner is being sought for two young cats which were left on the doorstep of the RSPCA’s clinic in Bournemouth.

Madge and Mabel, as they have been named by clinic manager Julie Burden, were found by staff at Richmond Park Road on Monday morning in a cat carrier.

One of the cats is pregnant and suffering from an itchy skin disease.

Mrs Burden said: “At first I thought it was just one fat cat but it was obviously two, with no blanket and no note saying their names or how old they were.

“We have wormed them and treated them for fleas, but unfortunately we can’t really treat Mabel’s skin condition while she is pregnant.

“She can’t have steroid cream applied. Fortunately, it isn’t too serious.

“It doesn’t look like they have been mistreated. In fact, I think their owner cared for them because they’re so friendly, but they haven’t been treated for fleas properly.

“It breaks my heart when they come and rub against my legs and I think: ‘That is someone’s much-loved pet that they have had to get rid of’.

“They’re beautiful cats and need a loving owner.”

The cats, believed to be aged between 18 months and two years, have been sent to the charity’s re-homing centre in Dorchester.

Although more animals are left at the RSPCA’s centre in Ashley Heath, Mrs Burden says pets are occasionally left at the Bournemouth premises.

“I think people see RSPCA on the sign but don’t realise we aren’t a re-homing centre,” she said.

“It always increases over Christmas. People should think before they buy pets whether they can afford to pay for long-term care.”

She is also urging owners to ensure they get their pet neutered. The clinic is extending its neutering service, normally reserved for those on income support, to all pet owners through Feb-ruary and March.

She said: “We can treat cats and dogs, rabbits, ferrets, anything really.”

“The owner of these cats possibly got rid of them because they didn’t want to have the litter, but it can easily be avoided.”

To get in touch about adopting the cats, call Taylor’s Animal Re-homing Centre on 01305 259672.

To contact the clinic about neutering your pet telephone 01202 526520.