Four pet rats were found dumped in a cramped carrier in a communal garden.

The four males were taken to Cinque Ports Vets in Kingsnorth, Ashford, by a concerned member of the public, who said he came across the animals in a shared outdoor space in the town.

The animals - now named Splinter, Emile, Django and Remy - were found inside a tiny pink pet carrier on June 3, with little room to move and no way to escape.

One of the rats has since been treated for a respiratory infection, while all four are now being cared for by the RSPCA Canterbury and district branch.

Staff say they have settled in well and are enjoying snacks and relaxing in a hammock inside a large new cage.

Animal rescue officer Adam Tasker, who collected the rats from the vet and is leading the investigation, said: “We are grateful that this person took the rats to the vet, so they could be treated promptly.

“They would have been scared, being left in a tiny, cramped carrier unable to escape, and at risk from predators.”

The RSPCA is now appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone who recognises the rats or knows anything about how they came to be abandoned is urged to contact the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01538426.

The charity says the sooner an animal in distress receives help, the better the outcome.

A spokesperson added: “If you find a small pet who has been abandoned, take them directly to a local vet or rescue centre.

“These teams can call in our experts if there’s evidence of neglect or abuse.”

The four rats are expected to be available for rehoming soon.

For more advice on what to do if you find an abandoned pet, visit the RSPCA website.