The RSPCA is aking for help tracing the owner of a tom cat dumped in cat carrier outside the RSPCA centre in two inches of rainwater on one of the coldest nights of the year.

The tabby tomcat, now named Marvin, was found cold and frightened and sitting in two inches of rainwater in a pink pet carrier at the gates of RSPCA Cornwall Branch Animal Centre overnight on Friday, January 2. RSPCA inspectors are appealing for people to come forward with more information about where he might’ve come from.

Animal welfare officer Felicity Cross said: “It is so upsetting to think that someone would leave him outside in those horrendous weather conditions overnight. It was very high winds and very heavy rain.

“He was petrified when staff at the centre found him. No one knows just how long he had been left there as he was dumped outside the gates outside of opening hours.

“He wasn’t found until staff came in to work at 8am on Saturday morning. (Jan 4) “There was no bedding in the carrier and it was left uncovered so he was left soaking wet and sitting in two inches of rainwater.”

She added: “This poor boy is still very nervous and traumatised by the whole experience. We are hoping there is someone out there who knows where he has come from and how he came to be dumped outside the Cornwall branch.”

Marvin was found in a small, pink plastic pet carrier with a yellow door.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the RSPCA INspector Appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

To support the RSPCA visit www.rspca.org.uk/home.