A young cat and her six new-born kittens were found dumped on a street in a taped-up cardboard box with air holes cut into it, the RSPCA has revealed.
Investigations are ongoing, said the charity, and the family is said to be 'in good health' at an animal sanctuary where they are being cared for.
RSPCA Inspector Rachel Whalley said: "The box could have easily been mistaken for rubbish or a vehicle could have run over it. It is sad to think of what could have happened to them if they hadn't been found."
The ASDA cardboard box was 'left discarded' on the pavement outside houses on Netherhouse Road in Shaw, Oldham. The RSPCA said the box was found last Sunday - April 2 - by a member of the public who initially believed it contained just the one cat.
The alarm was raised and Insp Whalley collected the box, but was stunned to find the kittens inside as she opened it up at a nearby veterinary surgery. She said the mum and her three-week-old kittens were now doing well in the care of the RSPCA Manchester and Salford branch.
Appealing for information to find out who dumped them Insp Whalley said: "The mum cat is young and probably only about a year old herself and her kittens we believe are around three weeks old. They were all obviously frightened but otherwise appeared in good health.
"It seems someone has dumped them in this box which was shut with sticky tape and air holes were left in the top. They were then just left in the street in a very vulnerable position.
"They were in an Asda box which contained a George microwave so I am appealing for anyone who saw someone with this distinctive box to get in touch. I am also appealing to anyone in the local area to check their CCTV to help this investigation.
"It is never acceptable to abandon an animal. If you have a pet and are struggling to cope there is help out there with many charities on hand - the last thing you should do is dump them."
Susie Hughes, manager at the branch, said: "The kittens are doing well in our care. There are three black and white male cats and three tabby female cats. Their young mum is lovely and I believe she was only very young when she was pregnant.
"This shows the importance of neutering cats as females are capable of getting pregnant from just four months old and this leads to unwanted kittens - which is probably what happened in this case."
RSPCA officers are responding to an increasing number of abandoned pets as the cost of living crisis continues to bite - but the animal welfare charity has warned the public this is never the answer.
Last month, the RSPCA received 1,324 reports of abandoned animals - up 8 per cent from February 2022.
Susie said: "The cost of pet food and running costs of the centre have gone up significantly over the past year - and due to the cost of living crisis we have seen donations dry up at a time when we need financial help the most.
"If anyone can support us to continue our vital work we would be grateful. We are always in need of cat food donations, too."
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