A tiny kitten was "nearly dead" when she was found abandoned on a farm in a shoebox.

The terrified young cat had been shut inside and cruelly dumped beside a bin at Nickle Farm in Chartham, near Canterbury, where she was discovered by workmen on November 23.

Hungry, cold and dehydrated, she was rushed straight to a vet, where her temperature was so low it could not be recorded.

But thankfully, the 12-week-old black kitten has survived the terrifying ordeal.

Now aptly named Lucky, she is being cared for by the RSPCA's Canterbury and District branch.

Trustee Natalie Archer said: "She had been left for dead and dumped next to a bin.

"She was lethargic, starving, dehydrated, terrified and so cold our wonderful vet at Vets4Pets Canterbury couldn’t even register a temperature."

Each year, the RSPCA Canterbury branch runs a shoebox appeal encouraging supporters in the area to fill a shoebox full of goodies for a cat or rabbit spending Christmas in RSPCA care - such as food, treats, cosy beds and blankets, toys, hay for rabbits and scratching posts for cats.

“We thought perhaps this little one could be the first to receive a shoebox filled with love and kindness and tasty treats to aid her recovery and show her that not all humans are alike," said Natalie.

She added that the branch needs more support than ever this Christmas.

"This year has been a particular tough year for us all, so we will be accepting shoebox donations at our rehoming centre throughout December," she said.

"When we launched the shoebox appeal again this year, we never expected that we would find a tiny kitten abandoned inside one and needing our help!

“It was touch and go for little Lucky as she was nearly dead when she was found. Thankfully, with vet care and lots of TLC from her foster carer, Lucky is now recovering well.”

To find out more about the shoebox appeal visit the RSPCA Canterbury’s Facebook page.

To donate to the branch visit its website.

Anyone with information about Lucky and how she came to be in the shoebox is urged to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here.

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