Three gravely-ill kittens that were taken to a Kensal Green charity after they were found abandoned in the street have sadly died.

Brent & Kilburn Times: The kittens were left to die in the street (Pic: Mayhew)The kittens were left to die in the street (Pic: Mayhew) (Image: Archant)

The flea-bitten four-week-old male trio were barely alive when they discovered by an elderly lady who took them in and tried to feed them for six days.

However as the quality of some kitten milk is not nutritious enough to support life their condition deteriorated so the lady contacted the Mayhew Animal Home in Trenmar Gardens, who took them in.

The trio named Wilf, Conner and Joel by Mayhew staff, were fighting for their lives, extremely thin, severely dehydrated, freezing cold and covered in fleas when they arrived at our Home.

Cattery and vet staff named worked round-the-clock to hand rear them by giving them repeat fluids to build up their strength but their condition continued to worsen.

A painstaking decision was made it would be kinder to put them to sleep.

Dr Emily Richardson, a vet at the Mayhew, said: “They were unable to eat on their own and their breathing was increasing due to hypoxia, a reduced oxygenation of tissues. In this late stage of flea anaemia, it is very difficult to get kittens back to good health, due to this hypoxia and the slow regeneration of red blood cells.”

The Mayhew are urging people to contact them first if they are having problems looking after their pet or find an abandoned animal on the street.

Zoe Edwards, the Mayhew’s animal welfare officer, said: “We want to get the message out that pet owners and people who find abandoned animals on the street should get in contact with us straight away so we can bring them into our care as a priority.

“We are here to assist and advise on the best course of action for the animal, no matter what the problem is, we absolutely do not judge.”

To make a donation to the Mayhew visit themayhew.org/donate or text CATS27 £5 to 70070 to donate £5 to support their work.