THREE kittens found living on the streets are now on the hunt for new homes after being hand-reared by animal rescue staff.

Magic, Wizard and Spider were about four weeks old when they were taken in by a man who had found them fending for themselves in East Grinstead town centre.

He handed them in to Cats Protection’s national centre in Chelwood Gate, near Haywards Heath, where staff would take them home each evening to make sure they were fed around the clock.

Centre deputy manager Karen Thompson said: “The gentlemen who brought them in had found them on the streets but sadly could not find their mother.

“We do not know what happened to her but she had clearly done the best she could do to raise her kittens.

“Life for un-neutered stray female cats is very tough and she would have given all her strength and energy to her kittens.

“Although the kittens were very hungry they were in fairly good condition considering they had been living on the streets.

"Because they were still so young, they were not yet weaned and needed to be hand-fed by our staff during the night as well as the daytime.

“Now they are nearly nine weeks old they are full of beans. They have all been neutered and are ready to find loving new owners.

“It is sad to think of their mother still living as an un-neutered stray and this story is an example of why it is so important to have cats neutered.

“Cats are prolific breeders and one female can have around 18 kittens a year.

“It’s not just a problem for stray cats. If you don’t have your pet cat neutered, it will go on to breed and result in more unwanted and abandoned kittens on the streets.”

To find out more about adopting Magic, Wizard or Spider or any of the 150 other cats and kittens currently being cared for by the charity, email cattery.reception@cats.org.uk or visit the centre in Lewes Road.

Cats Protection also offers financial support towards the cost of having a cat neutered.

To find out more, call 03000 121212 or visit www.cats.org.uk/what-we-do/neutering/financial-assistance.