Animal lovers caring for nine tiny kittens found dumped in a box on the steps of Stevenage’s parish church church have launched an appeal for information.

A passer-by found the kittens squashed into a cardboard box on the steps of the St Andrew and St George church in St George’s Way.

They were taken to a vets who then passed them on to the North Herts branch of Cats Protection, the charity which looks after abandoned cats and tries to find them new homes.

Branch co-ordinator Bianca Kubler said: “They’re doing very well. We think they’re from two litters – one set is around six weeks old, the other around nine.

“They are friendly little kittens and someone had definitely been caring for them. Maybe they just got overwhelmed.”

The charity wants to give the cats the injections they need, worm them and neuter them before they are adopted by new families. It’s happy to foot the bill but needs to contact the owners so that they can give their consent.

Bianca said: “They won’t be judged and no questions will be asked, but we need their consent to neuter the animals.

“If they can contribute some of the cost they are more than welcome but we will pay for everything if not.

“I’m also worried about the mothers – a lot of people don’t realise that a cat can be pregnant again around six weeks after giving birth. We don’t want this situation to happen again – it’s not fair on the animals.”

If you can provide any information, call the charity on 01438 228877 or visit www.northherts.cats.org.uk.