The RSPCA is appealing for information after four tiny kittens were thrown into a sewer in Norwich.

Norwich Evening News: Donatello, one of the kittens rescued from a Norwich sewer on May 23 Picture: RSPCADonatello, one of the kittens rescued from a Norwich sewer on May 23 Picture: RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

The black four-week-old kittens were rescued from an old sewer pipe on May 23 after a member of the public saw a woman pull up in a black Corsa at the junction of Botolph Street and Pitt Street and throw rubbish over a fence onto waste ground.

The woman drove away swiftly after, but a member of the public found the kittens among the rubbish and pulled them from the pipe where they had landed.

The kittens, of which two were male and two were female, were taken to a vet who then passed them on to the RSPCA - who are currently caring for them at the Norwich and Mid-Norfolk branch.

Chloe Shorten, animal welfare manager at the Norwich and Mid Norfolk branch, said: 'All four kittens are now doing well after vet checks and some much-needed TLC.

Norwich Evening News: The black kittens huddling together after being rescued by a kind-hearted member of the public Picture: RSPCAThe black kittens huddling together after being rescued by a kind-hearted member of the public Picture: RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

'They are currently being fostered by one of our staff members. How anyone could throw these four, defenceless kittens and leave them for dead is a mystery.

'There is never an excuse to abandon an animal like this but sadly at this time of the year we see lots of dumped kittens as we are now in the season when most of them are born.

'We are inundated with cats and kittens at the moment as the cat overpopulation crisis reaches its peak again for the summer. The answer to this is to have cats neutered from four-months-old to avoid unplanned litters of kittens who sadly can end up dumped like rubbish, much like these unlucky babies.'

The rescued furry friends have been named Donnatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Ms Shorten said: 'They are very sweet and purr a lot when they are fussed over.'

Anyone with information about how the kittens came to be abandoned should call the inspectorate appeal line in strictest confidence on 0300 123 8018.

To help the RSPCA rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animals in desperate need of care, visit www.rspca.org.uk/give

This latest report from the RSPCA comes just one week after the EDP reported that a Norwich man had discovered his kitten dead with a pellet wound to the head.