Three tiny kittens have survived a week trapped inside a car with no food or water on a voyage from Cyprus to the UK.

The cruising kittens, who have been named Neptune, Sinbad and Galene, were discovered inside a vehicle onboard MV (Military Vessel) Eddystone midway through a 10 day, 2,000 mile journey from Limassol in Cyprus to Southampton.

Neptune the kitten. Credit: Kris Bird

After being looked after by the ship’s staff, the kittens were given a clean bill of health by a UK vet and have now begun a three-month stay in quarantine, being paid for by Cats Protection who will find them a new home.

The kittens were found by crew at the end of September during a routine check of the ship’s cargo. They contacted the Sea Mounting Centre in Marchwood, Southampton where the boat was due to dock on 4 October.

Nepture (left) and Sinbad (right). Credit: Kris Bird

“The staff were surprised to see three kittens sitting on the car’s dashboard staring out at them,” said Patrick Fortnum, the ship’s agent who is based at the centre.

“The kittens were about three or four weeks old and were in remarkably good condition considering they’d had no food or water for a week. Their survival is miraculous.

Galene (left) and Sinbad (right) with Neptune in the background. Credit: Kris Bird

“Our staff quarantined them in an empty cabin for four days and kept them fed and warm. The kittens were very friendly, and weren’t timid or shy at all.

“We don’t know how they got into the car and they must have kept very quiet when the car was driven onto the boat because the driver didn’t hear or see anything odd.

Neptune (left) and Sinbad (right). Credit Kris Bird

“The car was locked at the port of Limassol so it’s possible their mum had exited the car sometime before and is still on the island.”

The cost of the kittens’ quarantine, and finding them a new home is likely to reach over £2,000 so Cats Protection would be grateful for any donations towards the cost.

To give to Cats Protection’s Cyprus kittens appeal, please visit www.justgiving.com/cats-protectioncypruscats or text CATZ83 and an amount of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070. 

Please note all funds raised in excess of the Cyprus appeal will be used to help other cats in the charity’s care.