Buttons, Archie and Staples, now three months old, were just one litter recently rescued or found by Border Small Animal Rescue.

Belinda Blom said the kittens were part of a feral litter found in a shed.

She said despite their unauspicious start in life, the trio were lucky, with many other animals struggling to find homes as rescues reach peak capacity. 

Ms Blom said in five days alone the rescue was asked to help with 25 kittens.

She said at this late stage of kitten-season, the chance of finding kittens like Buttons, Archie or Staples a home was slim. 

“At the beginning of the season kittens go quite quick, but when you get to the second of third lots of litters well everyone who wanted a kitten has one and you’re running out of home basically,” Ms Blom said.

Ms Blom said it was vital people desexed their cats, both male and female, for their pet’s own health and to prevent litter after litter of kittens being dumped at rescues. 

Pet owners should also never give kittens away for free, despite the influx of litters, as new owners needed to know responsible pet ownership costs money.

She said young kittens given away during kitten season had already been surrendered by owners who got them on ‘impulse’.

“Young kittens at 12-weeks-old should not be looking for home number two,” she said.

“People also should not be rehoming kitten under eight weeks as they need to stay with mum and learn to socialise.”