A YOUNG kitten has been found abandoned in a cat carrier on someone's doorstep.

The Scottish SPCA is now appealing for information after the incident - that is a criminal offence.

A homeowner in Inverarish, Erskine, discovered the animal at their door on Sunday, October 6.

The female cat - that is only around eight weeks old - is currently being cared for at the West Dunbartonshire centre.

Scottish SPCA inspector Gillian Dick said: “The kitten was found in a cat carrier on the caller’s doorstep.

“The young cat is female and is around eight weeks old. We are grateful to the homeowner who took her in and gave her some food.

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“She is very friendly so we suspect she is used to human contact. The team have affectionately named her Winnie.

“Winnie was deliberately left at the caller’s address and, even though it seems that the person who left her intended her to be cared for, we are still keen to find out the circumstances.

“If anyone has any information, we would urge them to call our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”

Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.