FIVE kittens were left on a doorstep in a cardboard box recently and found by a couple in Bradworthy the next morning.

A volunteer from the Holsworthy, Bideford and District branch of the Cats Protection volunteer collected them and they were taken into foster care.

Although only approximately six weeks old and very scared, the three boys and tao girls seem to have coped well with their ordeal. Once the kittens were checked over by the veterinarian and had tucked into some food, they turned into five fluffy bundles of fun.

The only black and white kitten named Alan, along with his black brothers and sisters, Andy, Arnold, Angelina and Alice, will remain in foster care until they find their ‘forever homes’ at nine weeks old — cats are able to be neutered from this age.

These kittens were lucky in a sense they weren’t left out overnight in poor weather.

This incident highlights the importance of getting every cat neutered as every year Cats Protection deal with a large number of kittens.

Elaine Head, homing team leader for the branch, said: “Many people don’t realise that a female does not need to have a litter before being neutered and that one unneutered female can be responsible for 20,000 descendants in just five years. We at Cats Protection recommend all cats are neutered by four months old, but many can be neutered earlier with the agreement of the vet.

“We can help with the cost of neutering cats and kittens. For just £5 for those on low incomes or free for feral cats and kittens.

“Before rehoming, all our cats and kittens are health checked, vaccinated, microchipped, treated for fleas and worms, and neutered if old enough. If not yet old enough we provide the new owner with a voucher to cover the cost of neutering.”

If anyone needs help with neutering call 07849 417890 or to give one of the kittens a home it’s 0345 3712717.