A young black cat is seeking a home ahead of the festive season, after being found discarded like rubbish along with her two five-month-old kittens.

The feline family was discovered tied up in a bag in a public park on 26 August and brought straight to Cats Protection’s Harrow Homing Centre.

The one-year-old moggy, who was named Buttercup, and her kittens had a full health check by a vet, along with flea and worming treatment and vaccinations.

The kittens were in fairly good health, but Buttercup’s skin and coat were in poor condition from living with fleas. With some treatment and TLC her skin healed up over the following four weeks.

Buttercup’s kittens were adopted in September, but she has sadly been overlooked since being made available for homing. She has spent quite a lot of time in a foster home, to help rebuild her trust in humans and get her ready for adoption after her ordeal.

After four months in the charity’s care, the team is keen to give her the gift of a loving new home in time for Christmas. 

Nicola Murray, Deputy Manager at Cats Protection’s Harrow Homing Centre, said: “We’d really love to find Buttercup a permanent home before Christmas. Her fosterer tells us that she's grown from a very nervous cat, who spent all day hidden away, to an affectionate girl. She has even jumped onto their lap a couple of times. 

“Being a young cat, Buttercup is also quite playful. She spends hours entertaining herself with her various toys - mice, straws, and string. Given time to gain confidence, she will make a wonderful addition to someone’s household.

“Sadly, Buttercup is one of 43 cats we’ve taken into the centre that have either been dumped in a public space or left outside our centre this year – about 10% of our admissions. It’s just lucky that she and her kittens were found in time and nothing more serious happened to them.

“We understand that times are tough for people, with the current cost of living crisis. But we would ask people to please, please get in touch with us if they’re struggling, rather than dumping their cats. We won’t judge, and we will help as soon as we’re able to.

“We’re incredibly grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Funds received thanks to their support help us care for hundreds of cats and kittens in need each year. We really can’t thank them enough.”

To date, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised over £1.2 billion to support good causes across Britain.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “I’m so pleased money raised by our players is helping Cats Protection to care for cats like Buttercup, and nurse them back to full health while they wait for permanent homes. I hope Buttercup is able to find a new home just in time for Christmas.”

If you’re in the North West London area and would like to consider adopting Buttercup or another cat, you can visit the Harrow Homing Centre’s website or get in touch via enquiries@harrow.cats.org.uk or 0203 758 4271.