THESE three moggies need new loving homes after their previous owner cruelly dumped them in a box.

Tom, Dick and Harriet, all ten months old, are in good health after their ordeal.

They were found by a member of the public cowering in a plastic crate in Frobisher Way, Shoebury.

The cats were taken to Downes vets who checked them over before contacting Southend Cats Protection who are looking after them at a cattery until a new home can be found.

The brothers and sisters have now all been neutered and eager to find new owners. They are not the only cats and kittens the charity is looking after thanks to volunteer foster carers.

One carer has two mothers with 11 kittens ranging from three to 12 weeks of age.

A spokesperson for Cats Protection Southend said: “This was a cruel thing to do to leave these three kittens abandoned in a box.

"Cats Protection champions neutering as the only effective way to reduce the number of unwanted cats in the UK.

“In 2011, we helped neuter 191,000 cats, making us the largest single cat neutering group in the world.

“We recommend that kittens are neutered at an early age before they begin puberty which can start as early as four months.

“The only way to ensure that the cat population in our area is brought under control is for owners to have their cats neutered earlier to prevent unwanted litters of kittens.”

The charity offers help with neutering vouchers contact Alison on 01702 864438. The only criteria is that you live in SS0, SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4 or SS9. If you can help rehome a cat contact Rita on 01702 710630.