Two kittens have been rescued after they were found abandoned next to recycling bins at a supermarket.
The eight-to-ten-week-old animals survived "extremely cold" conditions and may have been left outside overnight, said the Scottish SPCA.
A member of the public found the brothers in a cat carrier in the car park of Morrisons on King Street in Aberdeen on Monday morning.
Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Kenny Carle took them to the charity's Aberdeenshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre at Drumoak where are being cared for.
Mr Carle said: "A member of the public was using the recycling bins at around 7.30am when they spotted a cat carrier on the ground.
"Morris and Sonny were inside, but there was no food or water, only some cat litter which was quite dirty. Judging by the conditions inside the carrier I think the kittens may have been left there overnight.
"They would have been extremely cold as the temperature has been dropping significantly lately. Morris and Sonny are in good condition and well handled so they've clearly been cared for up until now."
The charity is keen to trace whoever abandoned the kittens and appealed for anyone with information to call its Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
It warned that abandoning an animal is an offence and that anyone found guilty of doing so can face a ban on keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
