A KITTEN found abandoned in a cat carrier on the corner of a busy dual carriageway in Newport has been saved by animal rescuers.

The tiny six-week old kitten, who was covered in fleas and had conjunctivitis, was found on the pavement in Wharf Road on Friday morning around 7.30am by a member of the public and brought into pet charity Blue Cross' rehoming and advice unit less than half a mile away in Willenhall Street.

She is now in the care of one of the pet charity’s foster carers until she is ready to go up for rehoming.

Hannah Wiltshire, Blue Cross Newport rehoming manager, said: “She is a friendly little soul and despite her flea infestation and bad eye she was still angling for a good fuss.

“We can’t imagine how terrifying it must have been for her to be abandoned in the carrier. It’s also really frustrating that she was found less than half a mile away – a ten minute walk – from us with a tiny tub of water and biscuits in the carrier.

“At six-weeks-old the kitten should still be with her mother. Unfortunately we see a lot of unwanted and dumped cats, some born to stray mums who have been abandoned.

"We urge owners to have their cats neutered to stop unwanted litters and would ask people who are unable to look after their pets any more to take them to an animal shelter like us rather than abandoning them on the streets.

"Luckily for Nancy she has already had a lot of interest from potential new owners. She’s not old enough to be rehomed yet but she shouldn’t have any trouble finding her new forever family with our help."