'Ravenous' kitten had been left in carrier outside Leicester church

A hungry kitten was discovered after being dumped outside a city church in Clarendon Park. A member of St John the Baptist Church on Clarendon Park Road had been doing work in the grounds when she heard meowing and then saw the skinny kitten approach her.

The woman also spotted an unzipped backpack cat carrier with urine inside, which the kitten appeared to have been left in. The RSPCA were called and the animal - named Sinjin by the woman who found him - was taken to a vet by the woman and is now back to full health.

RSPCA Inspector Herchran Boal said: “Sinjin is one of the most adorable, friendliest cats I have ever met - he’s just extremely sweet.

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“We are so grateful to the church volunteer for all their help in keeping him safe and taking him to a vet - it’s a great example of how people can help us to help animals. It was so lucky she was working in the area at the time as Sinjin was obviously scared and hiding."

It appears that Sinjin's original owners had rehomed him but that his new owners did not want to keep him. Herchran said: “The kitten was microchipped and I have been following up a number of leads as it appears he was recently rehomed.

“I am keen to speak to anyone who may know who might have recently rehomed this kitten or if they recognise the cat carrier he was left in as it is very distinctive."

She said that when she first saw Sinjin on Tuesday, April 16, he was "ravenous and desperate for a fuss". Sinjin is about seven months old and is a male tabby.

Herschran added: “We understand the financial difficulties some people are experiencing right now. However abandoning your pet is never the answer.

"There is help and support available and - as we all strive to create a better world for every animal - we would urge people to contact their vets, local rescues and animal welfare charities.”

Sinjin is now living with the other cats and kittens at the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre and he will be available for rehoming soon. Anyone who has information about who was responsible for Sinjin is asked to call the RSPCA’s appeals line on 0300 123 8018 quoting incident - 1250399.