Two five-week-old kittens have died after being found abandoned in a bag alongside their two siblings.

The surviving kittens, Peanuts and Button, are now being cared for by Byfleet Cat Rescue.

But the charity has warned that independent animal rescues could be forced to close next year as mounting veterinary bills and growing numbers of abandoned cats push volunteers to breaking point.

The Surrey charity, which has rescued more than 300 cats since October 2024, says it is struggling to cope with the relentless demand for help.

In the past two weeks alone, volunteers have also dealt with a stray cat found sitting on a traffic island at the busy Robin Hood Roundabout and another living in a shed without a permanent home.

Two heavily pregnant stray cats were brought to safety on October 26, both requiring foster homes and ongoing care.

Nicola Tait, founder and chair of Byfleet Cat Rescue, said: “We are ordinary people with jobs, families and our own responsibilities, yet every single day we are dealing with another cat or kitten desperately needing help.

“Two weeks ago, four tiny five-week-old kittens were discovered in a bag in Addlestone. Two sadly didn’t survive. Yesterday, we were arranging safety for two heavily pregnant mothers. We are seeing cats abandoned, living in sheds, wandering busy roads and giving birth outdoors.

“We don’t have a rescue centre. We rely on members of the public opening their homes as fosterers, volunteers giving up their time, and donations to pay for the veterinary treatment these animals desperately need.

“We are exhausted, and the financial pressure is becoming frightening. I genuinely fear that next year we will see some independent rescues close permanently because they simply cannot continue.

“And when those rescues disappear, who is going to help these cats? The problem won’t go away. It will escalate.”

Byfleet Cat Rescue operates entirely through volunteer foster homes, relying on public donations to provide food, shelter, veterinary treatment and rehabilitation for vulnerable cats and kittens.

The charity is supporting a UK Parliament petition calling for a national strategy to tackle cat overpopulation and the growing pressure on animal rescue organisations.

The petition calls for affordable neutering, greater support for rescue charities, education around responsible pet ownership and measures to address irresponsible breeding and abandonment.

While the Government has outlined animal welfare commitments extending to 2030, the charity believes more immediate action is needed.

The petition closes on February 19, 2027, and needs 100,000 signatures to be considered for a parliamentary debate.

Ms Tait added: “We cannot wait until 2030. We are dealing with the consequences of uncontrolled breeding, abandonment and a lack of affordable neutering right now.

“We need meaningful support for independent rescues, affordable veterinary care and a properly funded national neutering strategy.

“If we lose the smaller charities, we lose a vital safety net for thousands of vulnerable animals.

“This petition is an opportunity for the public to make their concerns heard. We have until 19 February to reach 100,000 signatures, and we need people across the country to understand how serious this situation has become.

“We cannot solve a national problem through volunteers, foster homes and public donations alone.”

Byfleet Cat Rescue is encouraging residents to support the petition and raise the issue with their MPs.

The petition can be found on the UK Parliament website under reference 777945.