An abandoned kitten is now thriving after cheating death – twice.

Keighley-based Yorkshire Cat Rescue intervened to help Casper, who was dumped at the roadside in a box with his mother and five siblings.

Luckily a passer-by heard the cats’ cries and took them to a vet, who passed them to Yorkshire Cat Rescue.

Charity centre manager Sam Davies said: “Mum was traumatised and the kittens were less than a week old, so like all of them Casper was very vulnerable.”

Casper was adopted by Nikita Golab, from Denholme. However, four days later he fell ill and was diagnosed with a potentially fatal virus called panleukopenia. This same illness forced Yorkshire Cat Rescue to quarantine its own base for two months.

Mrs Golab said: “Casper was on a drip for several days and I was frantic with worry.

"The help and support Yorkshire Cat Rescue gave me was amazing. They really cared and they couldn’t have done more – even though they were dealing with their own crisis.”

Thankfully Casper turned a corner and is now recovered. Mrs Golab added: “He really is a miracle cat. There are no excuses for the cruelty of the person who abandoned him, and I still feel upset when I think about it.”

Yorkshire Cat Rescue says the cost of vet bills has escalated. People can go to yorkshirecatrescue.org or call 01535 647184 to support its work with a Christmas donation.