Paul Nijjar said 26 cats and kittens were found sealed in plastic boxes and carriers in a Birmingham alleyway on 30 September. Cats found in sealed boxes were discovered at about 13:00 BST on Hawthorn Road, between a bakery and a shop, after a member of the public came across them.
He said some of the animals were struggling to breathe, and described the find as distressing. All 26 were underweight and had a significant flea burden.
Hawthorn Road in Birmingham
The member of the public moved most of the cats into carriers before contacting the RSPCA. Nijjar said: "This was clearly a distressing discovery - 26 cats and kittens, with some shut in sealed plastic boxes."
He also said: "This is an incredibly cruel way to treat defenceless cats and kittens" and added: "We know people are struggling, but there are ways to get help."
Two of the animals, Mauve and Mr Gold, are being treated at Birmingham Animal Hospital for heavy flea burdens, anaemia and dehydration. Mauve is four weeks old and Mr Gold is one year old, and the RSPCA said both are improving.
RSPCA CCTV review
The remaining 24 cats and kittens are recovering in the charity's care and will be rehomed when they are ready. The RSPCA is reviewing CCTV footage from the area as it looks for information about who left the animals beside fly-tipped rubbish in the alley.
The discovery came days after six kittens were found abandoned in a crate on Metchley Drive in Birmingham on 27 September. Those kittens — Stevie and Nicks, Liam and Noel, Banana and Rama — are recovering at Birmingham Animal Centre and will be rehomed.
The two cases leave the same open question: who sealed the cats and kittens in the boxes and left them in Birmingham.
