The RSPCA has launched an appeal after the animals were discovered by a member of the public in Clay Cross, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
The black-and-white cat was inside a blue rucksack, with the 10-year-old Jack Russell terrier tethered to it. They were found at around 10.45am on Thursday 3 September on Broadleys, opposite Charlesworth Veterinary Surgery.
The dog, identified by her microchip as Angel, needed urgent veterinary treatment. Alongside the abdominal mass, she had fleas, cloudy eyes, baldness around her back end and overgrown nails.
Her body condition score was just one out of nine, compared with the four or five expected for a healthy dog. Her microchip recorded her name but contained no other information.
The five-year-old cat had no obvious injuries but was very nervous and withdrawn. She was not microchipped.
Both animals were taken to the RSPCA’s Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Branch.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ben Massey said: “Angel in particular was found in a very concerning condition, with a large mass hanging from her abdomen which was weeping and appeared to be infected.
“Despite this, she was bright and alert, and thankfully we were able to get her the urgent veterinary treatment she needed.
“It’s incredibly worrying that these two animals were just dumped outside with no food, water or shelter, especially with Angel in such poor health.
“We’re keen to establish exactly what happened to them, and we’d like to speak to anyone who might have seen Angel or the cat, or might have information about their owner, to come forward. Even the smallest piece of information could help our enquiries.”
The charity understands a woman may have taken the animals to a local veterinary practice that morning asking for them to be rehomed. The practice was unable to take them, and the woman is believed to have left the area.
Angel was prescribed antibiotics for her infection and underwent surgery on Tuesday 8 September to remove the mass. She is now recovering well.
Both animals will be available for rehoming through the RSPCA’s Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Branch once they have fully recovered.
Anyone with information is asked to call the RSPCA’s inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01896207.
The charity urged anyone struggling to care for a pet to seek help from animal welfare organisations. Its dedicated cost of living hub offers advice and directs owners towards support, while more than 200 Pet Food Bank Partnerships operate across the country.
