Cat lover Moira Craighead was furious after a badly-neglected Persian was dumped on her doorstep.

The expensive feline was left in a cardboard box outside Mrs Craighead's home in Dry Street, Langdon Hills, where she runs the Cat Rescue Group, on Tuesday.

Mrs Craighead, 65, said: "I was sickened when I saw the state of the cat. It was a disgusting sight.

"I don't know what gets into people when they do things like this. The poor creature was virtually down to bare bones and scared.

"After it was dumped in the cardboard box the cat broke loose and wandered off. A lady later brought it to me."

Mrs Craighead, who currently cares for about 50 cats, added: "The Persian, which must have cost a lot of money, was badly knotted up.

"It has clearly been neglected for weeks and weeks. The poor thing is eating like a horse and obviously has not had a decent meal for some time."

Mrs Craighead plans to take the cat to a vet for a course of antibiotics and other medical treatment before it suffers any more.

She went on: "Apart from looking dreadful, he or she is a playful, friendly little cat. I suppose the next thing is to give it a name when I can determine what sex it is!"

The cruel act comes in the wake of an urgent millennium appeal from the RSPCA to people buying animals during the holiday period.

It is feared that now the festive season is over dogs, cats and other pets will be neglected and ill-treated.

The RSPCA is also worried about an increase in abandoned animals now that holidaymakers travel further afield to mark the big occasions.

Chris Laurence, the society's chief veterinary officer, said: "Unfortunately national celebrations on this scale can lead to horrific suffering.

"We want to make sure the dawn of a new era does not have a devastating impact on animals."

The RSPCA is also reminding pet owners it is an offence to dump pets without making adequate arrangements for their welfare.

This follows a flurry of Christmas calls to the society about pets which are thought to have been left home alone by selfish new owners.

Picturem top: Moggie misery - carer Moira Craighead, who runs the Cat Rescue Group in Langdon Hills, shows the dumped cat, which has yet to be given a name.

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