A pregnant young cat who was dumped in a box by a pond has found her forever home.

Lily, who was pregnant with four kittens at the time, was found with two male cats, Newt and Reed, in Seaford last summer.

The trio were handed into the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, in The Broyle, Ringmer, "very hungry and thirsty". 

They were given food, water and a warm quiet space to rest, along with veterinary care.

Matthew Gough, Raystede's Head of Animal Welfare, said: "We don't know why these lovely cats were dumped, but we do know that they were in crisis as a result, particularly Lily, as she was pregnant."

The Argus: She gave birth to four kittens at the centre

Lily had an emergency c-section and gave birth to four kittens at the centre.

Mr Gough said: "Lily was too young to have kittens, and giving birth was very difficult for her, so much so that she would have died had we not been there to give her the urgent veterinary care she needed.

"We are relieved that they were found in time and that we were able to help them."

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Following a period of recovery, Lily, along with her kittens and the male cats she was found with, were all rehomed.

Lily's new owner said: "Lily has been brilliant.

"Initially she spent a week exploring her new environment and gaining confidence.

"She ate well and used her litter tray from the start. Her covered bed is her sanctuary at night or when she wants to sleep or observe what going on in the living room.

"She now sees every room as hers and naps on all beds and in particular she has a preference to sit on a newspaper when someone is reading it."

Although the cats and kittens are now settled in their new homes, Mr Gough said animals being abandoned is becoming increasingly common.

He said: "The story of Lily and her kittens, along with Newt and Reed, is sad, and we wish that it hadn’t happened.

"But it is reflective of many of the issues we’re seeing, often as a result of the ongoing effects of the animal welfare and cost of living crises."

Raystede experienced a surge in animals needing care last year.

Information about adopting animals from the centre can be found at https://www.raystede.org/adopt/.

The centre relies on donations to help them care for the animals handed into the centre.

They have a number of animals in their care including dogs, cats and small animals.

The centre has said that they have no further information on the circumstances behind these cats being abandoned.