TWO ferrets are recovering after being abandoned inside a cat carrier and dumped by a river.

The RSPCA is appealing for information the animals were found by a member of the public in a small wooded area near to the River Don in Hindmarch Drive, in East Boldon, on South Tyneside, on Tuesday September 26.

Animal Collection Officer Bryan Moffitt took the ferrets to the RSPCA Great Ayton Animal Centre in North Yorkshire, where they have been getting some much-needed care. are now doing much better.

ACO Moffitt said: “The ferrets, who have been named Skittles and Dolly by staff at Great Ayton, were left without food or water, so the first thing to do was to give them some food and water and a full vet check.

“On the whole, they were in an okay condition so I don’t think they had been there too long.

“Although near to a school it was quite an obscure place so they were very lucky that someone found them when they did.

“Sadly we have seen quite a lot of abandoned ferrets recently and I have no idea why there has been such a spate.

“It is never acceptable to abandon any animal like this and there are always options available to people who feel they can not cope, or when their circumstances have changed.”

Anyone with information should contact the RSPCA appeal lineon 0300 123 8018.