Six kittens were dumped on a road on Christmas Day as authorities scrambled to find their mother. The kittens, estimated to be five weeks old, were found in Melrose Street, off Anlaby Road in Hull on Thursday (December 25). 

The Hull branch of the RSPCA is appealing for information on the whereabouts of the kittens' mother, “who may still be nearby and in need of help herself”.  It has also urged the public to make some donations in order to support the kittens' care, saying the rescue centre is currently "bursting with cats", reports Hull Live. 

In a post published on its Facebook page, RSPCA Hull & East Riding Branch said: "We can’t believe that on Christmas Day we are having to share this post. Sadly, six kittens, just five weeks old, have been abandoned.

"At this age, they are far too young to be without their mum, and we are urgently appealing for information on behalf of the National RSPCA. What is already an incredibly busy day for our staff and volunteers has become even harder.

"Our centre is currently bursting with cats, and these kittens now require round-the-clock care, warmth, feeding and veterinary treatment. As a self-funded RSPCA Hull and East Riding branch, we receive no automatic funding from the National RSPCA, and situations like this place huge pressure on our already stretched resources.

"They were found on Melrose Street, Anlaby Road, and our biggest priority right now is locating their mum, who may still be nearby and in need of help herself. If you have any information, please contact the National RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 and quote log number 1702944. Any detail, no matter how small, could help.

"If you’re able to support their care this Christmas, we would be incredibly grateful if you could use the donate button below. Your support helps us continue providing lifesaving care to animals who have nowhere else to turn."