TWO kittens were saved from certain death after a young boy heard their desperate cries from a cardboard box in a layby on Bransgore road, Ringwood.

The youngster discovered the box, which had no air holes and on opening it, found the two shivering tortoiseshell kittens, thought to be siblings aged about eight weeks.

The boy took them to his Ringwood home and his mother took them to vets at the Cedar Veterinary Hospital.

The kittens were found to be slightly dehydrated and suffering the ill effects of spending several hours out in the cold, but quickly made a full recovery at the surgery after being given fluids, a cosy bed and lots of cuddles.

The pair now named Luna and Flora May immediately won the hearts of the practice staff and practice manager Debbie Giddings-Hall and nurse Jo Blanchard quickly decided to adopt the young cats.

Debbie explained: “This is a real good news story for the kittens, particularly at this time of year, and when so many cats are being abandoned by their owners during the credit crunch.

“Cats Protection to name just one re-homing organisation is full of unwanted cats and kittens in desperate need of good homes. I would strongly urge anyone thinking of buying a cat or kitten to visit their local rescue centre and to seriously consider whether they can afford to keep a pet in the first place. To use the old saying, a cat, like a dog, is not just for Christmas.”

The Cats Protection League is currently fundraising to build a £1.75million homing centre in Ferndown where one of Cedar Vet’s two other surgeries is based.

Now under construction, the centre will hold cats that are ready for adoption, cutting out lengthy waits for owners to take their pets home.