No room at the inn

The RSPCA was unable to find room for the pair at its Felledge Animal Centre, in Chester-le- Street, so deputy manager Rebecca Williams has taken both the kittens home to be cared for over Christmas.

She said: “This really was a case of there being no room at the inn, so Mary and Joseph will be staying with me until the new year when, hopefully, we’ll be able to find them some homes.”

Joseph, who is thought to be about five weeks old, was the first to come into the centre, after being spotted wandering in Braemar Road, in Hartlepool, on November 22.

Tabby Mary was found on December 16. She had been dumped in a bin bag and left out with the rubbish in the Rickleton area of Washington, Wearside.

Ms Williams said: “It’s unbelievable that anyone could just abandon a kitten in this way.

“If she hadn’t been found when she was, who knows what would have happened to her.

“These two are so cute – they’re totally adorable, and I’m certainly enjoying having them around for a few weeks.”

The kittens will not be available for re-homing until the new year when they’ll be over eight weeks old. Anyone who would like to offer a home to Mary or Joseph, or any of the other cats in the care of Felledge Animal Centre, should telephone the centre on 0300-123-0708.