A CRUEL cat owner dumped this adorable feline family in a hedge without a concern for their survival.

Walkers discovered the mother and her four kittens in a roadside hedge last weekend.

Animal experts said that the cute kittens would not have lasted long in the wild and would have made easy prey for local foxes.

The family are currently in the safe hands of Paws and Claws Animal Rescue Service in Sayers Common but are looking for new, more caring owners.

The family were found dumped in a hedgerow in Lodge Hill Lane between Ditchling and Clayton at about noon on Sunday.

It is thought that the cats had only been dumped there earlier that morning as walkers spotted someone with an empty cat basket close to the scene.

Sussex Police road policing officers were contacted and then handed the cute cats into the capable hands of the team at the Sayers Common animal rescue service.

Paws and Claws are now looking to rehome the loveable family as well as 50 other cats of all ages that they currently have on their hands.

Jackie Tidy from Paws and Claws said: “The person must have left some food there because the mother and the kittens kept coming back to the same spot.

“Unfortunately it is not that uncommon for cats to be dumped if people can’t find homes for new kittens but it’s pretty extreme for a mum and her four kittens to be left as a family group.

“The mother would have survived quite well, her hunting instinct would have kicked in, but she would have had a problem keeping the kittens safe from foxes who would have got them.

“It was lucky that the walkers spotted them and the notified the police and us.

“They are all doing well now and we think we might have a home for the mother and one of the kittens but we need to find homes for the other three kittens.”

If you are interested in adopting any of Paws and Claws’ cats should call 01444 457758 visit www.pawsandclaws-ars.org.uk.