A BLACK cat was callously left out with the rubbish on Christmas Eve in Ipswich.The cat, aptly nicknamed Rudolph after the incident, was rescued and is being looked after by the Cats Protection League before it is claimed by its owner or is re-homed.

A BLACK cat was callously left out with the rubbish on Christmas Eve in Ipswich.

The cat, aptly nicknamed Rudolph after the incident, was rescued and is being looked after by the Cats Protection League before it is claimed by its owner or is re-homed.

It was spotted by a woman who found the cat secured in a box at the bins in Peterhouse Close, Ipswich.

Pat Kettle, of the Ipswich Cat's Protection League, said: "Rudolph must have had a good home because he has such a nice nature.

"He was neutered and is very healthy, so why he was there I don't know.

"If this lady had not have found him he could have ended up on a dumping lorry or anything."

Last year a ginger cat with one eye was found in a box which had a brick on top of it in Cambridge Drive, Ipswich. The cat was claimed by its owner after it was dumped by someone else.

Ms Kettle said: "Rudolph could have been put there by kids or neighbours who don't like cats.

"As Rudolph is so easy going it would not have been difficult to put him in a box and carry him away.

"People don't stop and think ahead. Five minutes of fun it could have ended a cat's life."

Cats are sometimes abandoned over Christmas because owners feel their pet is in the way when family visit. Another reason is when owners favour a kitten over an adult cat.

People are urged to think long term by taking on the responsibility of a pet. They should look at whether they can afford to pay for food and vet bills, and whether they have time to devote to it.

Rudolph is pure black with no markings and is thought to be three to four years old.

If you are Rudolph's owner or would like to re-home him, contact Pat Kettle on 01728 - 747115.