FOUR tiny kittens found dumped in a carrier bag are being cared for by RSPCA foster parents.

The cries of 10-day-old Sadie, Sally, Tinkerbell and Alonzo alerted someone to finding them in the front garden of a house in Banbury and handing them over to the animal charity.

A foster carer is now hand-feed the kittens every two hours. And the charity is now appealing for other people to help out with fostering duties.

RSPCA Inspector Luke Hughes said: “These poor things were extremely young and if they had been left on their own for too long they could have died.

“It is just heartbreaking to think that they have been dumped in a plastic bag like a piece of rubbish.

“We would appeal to anyone who may know the owner of these kittens to contact the RSPCA immediately.”

Ruth Cross, the animal charity’s branch manager, added: “They were a little bit run-down because at that age they need to be fed every two hours.

“But they have pulled around with some TLC. They are doing OK at the moment.”

She added: “As you can see from this incident, fosterers play a vital part role in helping animals in need and anyone interested in signing up to become a fosterer is urged to contact the branch.”

When the kittens are old enough they will be re-homed with new owners.

As reported in last week’s Mail, Oxfordshire animal charities have seen a rise in abandoned animals this year.

Staff at the Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary in Stadhampton said they now look after 180 abandoned cats, compared to 80 last year, and more than double the amount of rabbits.

The sanctuary has taken on an extra staff member to deal with the influx.

And the Blue Cross centre in Burford said it was dealing with a greater number of dogs and other unwanted pets, taking in 73 animals that had been found wandering the streets or abandoned so far this year, compared to 53 in the same period last year.

Manager AlysonJones said the recession was partly to blame.

To find out about becoming a RSPCA fosterer please contact Ruth Cross on 07887 475401.