TWO cats were forced into cages and cruelly dumped on a Hampshire roadside by their owners.

The helpless animals were found in a route in the New Forest by a group of cyclists.

Now animal welfare officers are caring the for the cats after taking them to the safety of an animal shelter.

The two adult cats were discovered trapped carrier cases in Forest Road, Burley.

RSPCA animal welfare officer (AWO) Jo Blackburn, who went to collect the cats, said: “These poor little cats were dumped by a fence at the side of the road in two very distinctive, grey RAC pet carriers”

“Cyclists who were passing through the area spotted them and we were contacted by a woman who lived nearby.

“It’s thought the cats were dumped sometime between 8am and 10.30am on Sunday and people who live in the area didn’t see or hear anything suspicious during that time.

“I’m hopeful that someone may recognise these cats or the carriers they were abandoned inside.

“Anyone who knows anything about where they’ve come from or how they ended up here should get in touch with the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line by calling 0300 123 8018.”

The male cats, one black and one black-and-white who was wearing a pink, flowery collar, were taken to the RSPCA’s Ashley Heath Centre in Ringwood.

The cats, now named Lord and Monty - after the New Forest’s famous Montagu family - are now being cared for by staff and, if not claimed by an owner, will be rehomed.

Every year the RSPCA is called out to rescue hundreds of animals across England and Wales after their owners abandon them and, in many cases, leave them for dead. In 2015, the RSPCA collected 4,521 abandoned cats (the most abandonments of any species).

To assist our inspectors in rescuing abandoned animals and to help our hospitals in treating them, please visit: www.rspca.org.uk/abandonment.

Anyone who would like to offer one of these cats a home should contact Ashley Heath by calling 0300 123 0749.