Two kittens rescued by the RSPCA after being found at the bottom of a rubbish chute are recovering in the charity’s care.

The rubbish chute has a drop of up to 22 floors high, but it’s unknown from which floor the kittens fell.

The cats were discovered by a worker at the property on Swanscombe Road in Shepherd’s Bush Green on 9 January, having previously found signs of cat faeces two days earlier, but no sight of the animals themselves at that time.

One of the cats was unable to bear weight on her leg, and their concerned finder gave the animals food and water before calling the RSPCA for help.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Eve Mannings said: “These lovely little cats were so nervous but very sweet. Because the large bin they had fallen down into was full of waste, they had managed to jump out and had been hiding underneath the containers.

“Sadly, it seems fairly clear that these two young cats were thrown down the rubbish chute – there appears no other way they could have feasibly got into the waste collection area as it is padlocked shut 24/7.

“It’s also unlikely they both fell down the shoot accidently, because the lid has to be lifted to put the rubbish down.”

Eve took the two lucky kittens to RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston & District Branch, where the team got to work straight away and had them examined by a vet.

Sadly, it was clear that one of the kittens had suffered an injury, and an x-ray revealed she had dislocated her pelvis, and she underwent surgery.

The kittens – now named Kathy and Karen by the branch staff – are on the road to recovery.

And the charity hopes the public may be able to come forward with information about how the kittens ended up at the bottom of the rubbish chute.

Eve added: “There is no CCTV in the area of the rubbish chute, so I have little information at this stage, but anyone who recognises these kittens can contact me in complete confidence by calling the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.”

Irene Hansford from RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston & District Branch added: “These cats have really been through an ordeal, but we’re slowly gaining their trust. The vets were unsure if Kathy’s broken pelvis was due to her falling down the chute, or caused by an old injury, but either way, they have both needed a lot of care and time to help them recover.

“It’s been lovely watching their characters slowly come out, but it’s incredibly sad to think somebody discarded them both like rubbish.”

When Kathy and Karen are recovered and well enough to be adopted, the team will look to find them a loving new home.

The RSPCA’s emergency teams are under real pressure – but the charity will keep being there for animals experiencing the worst cruelty and neglect. More information on supporting the RSPCA is available on the charity’s website.