A kitten has died and another will be requiring a leg amputation after several cats were found abandoned at a construction site during the recent freeze-over in Vancouver.

Nine kittens, ranging from 12 weeks to four months old, were found in two boxes taped shut, the BC SPCA said Friday (Dec. 30). It鈥檚 unclear exactly when the boxes were discovered.

鈥淭he temperatures were bitterly cold when these kittens were left at a construction site with nothing but a cardboard box for protection,鈥� Jodi Dunlop, manager of the BC SPCA鈥檚 Vancouver animal centre, said in a statement.

鈥淲hen someone working at the construction site opened the boxes, they found the kittens huddled together for warmth and immediately brought them to the BC SPCA.鈥�

One of the kittens, which had a prior injury that had not been treated, was unable to be saved by veterinarians and died. A second kitten, which the animal welfare agency has named Prance, was also suffering from an injury on the front right leg and will now have to have the leg amputated.

鈥淪he is the sweetest kitten,鈥� Dunlop said. 鈥淪he kneads biscuits with her front left paw and is always so happy to have visitors.鈥�

Three of the other baby cats also required medical attention.

鈥淧eople need to know that it is illegal to abandon an animal,鈥� says Eileen Drever, BC SPCA鈥檚 senior officer protection and stakeholder relations.

鈥淭hankfully there was someone at the construction site to find these kittens and bring them to us.鈥�

The kittens will remain at the agency鈥檚 Vancouver animal centre until fully recovered, before being available for adoption.

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