A “terrified” cat has been rescued from a sealed bin in Sidcup where he was abandoned in a taped bin with no air, food or water.

The cat was found by a woman at the Valliers Wood, Sidcup Co-op on Monday, February 6.

She heard scratching and muffled sounds coming from the bin and so, too afraid to open the bin, the woman took it straight to a local vet.

Fortunately, the cat was saved and has been renamed Lenny.

Lenny is currently living at the RSPCA Ashford Garden Cattery and has been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped.

He will soon be available to move to his forever home.

The RSPCA has been unable to obtain CCTV footage from the scene due to unfortunate camera placement, so they are appealing for anyone with information about Lenny to contact their appeals line in confidence on 0300 123 8018. 

Emma Byrne, animal welfare, community engagement and education officer at RSPCA Kent North West Branch, said: “How anyone could leave any animal in this way is unthinkable.

“He was very cramped, couldn’t lay down and had no access to food, water or even air.

“I just dread to think of what could have happened to this lovely boy.

“Lenny loves a fuss and he gives lots of friendly head butts!

“He really deserves to find a happy new home.”

Emma has found that the cost of living crisis and financial worries are pushing even the most loving owners to extreme actions.

She added: “Thank goodness a kind-hearted member of the public discovered the cat when she did.

“The poor fella was taped in a plastic food bin, with no air flow, no food, no water and no means of escape.

“If he hadn’t been found when he was then this could have been a truly devastating story. 

“The lady took the cat to Medivet on Halfway Street in Sidcup and asked for their help.

“She was afraid of animals so felt unable to open the bin herself, but knew there must be something living inside.

“The vets opened the bin with some trepidation as there were no air holes and they were expecting to find a grizzly sight.

“However, thankfully they found a beautiful grey and white male cat alive inside along with a black fleece blanket.

“He was terrified but a very friendly, sweet cat.”

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Lenny was found with fleas and some patchy fur but other than that was a healthy cat.

Medivet staff nursed him back to health and then contacted the RSPCA Kent North West branch when no one came forward to claim him.

Emma collected him on February 21 and took him into RSPCA care.

She added: “We cannot emphasise enough that abandoning your pet like this is not only incredibly cruel; it is issuing them with a death sentence.

“We urge people to contact their local RSPCA branch if they can no longer care for their animals.

“At Kent North West we can assist with rehoming, financial help for vet costs and even pet food temporarily.”