AN appeal has been launched after a member of the public found a cat dumped in a cardboard box in woods in East Lancashire. 

The tabby and white male cat, named Raymond by RSPCA staff, was found by a person walking their dog near Pimlico Link Road, just near the railway track in Clitheroe, on Saturday.

They spotted the poor cat inside a sodden cardboard box and contacted the RSPCA for help.

Animal rescue officer David Hatton attended and collected the cat and took him to the RSPCA Manchester and Salford branch for care.

He said: “This poor cat had been callously dumped in the woods in a cardboard box.

"The member of the public who found him said he had been abandoned off the beaten track and they never would have spotted him if they hadn’t heard his meowing.

"Luckily, they did spot him and alerted us. He’s a friendly cat and was already purring when I dropped him off at the centre where he is now getting the care and attention he needs.

“He isn’t microchipped and we’ve had no owner come forward so we’re appealing for information to try and find out how this cat came to be abandoned.

“We know that people’s circumstances can change which may mean they can no longer care for a pet, and now more than ever many people are finding they’re struggling with their finances, but there is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this.

"We would urge anyone who is struggling to please reach out for help from friends or family, or charities like ourselves.”

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information on how this cat came to be abandoned to please contact the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

Raymond was taken to the RSPCA Manchester and Salford branch where he is settling in well. He is not available for rehoming yet but will be added to the website when he is: www.rspca.org.uk/findapet 

To help the RSPCA keep rescuing animals and continue our vital work through these unprecedented times, please donate whatever you can spare at www.rspca.org.uk/covid