KITCHENER -- Provincial police are investigating an animal cruelty incident after five kittens were found abandoned in a metal scrap bin beside a Hagersville business.

Police say a passerby was walking on John Street around 7 p.m. Monday when they heard the sound of kittens crying. The person was able to rescue two kittens from a bucket of water and three kittens from inside the bin. One kitten was found dead in the water bucket.

Officials said the kittens are now with a rescue organization.

"They're doing great. I hand fed them all, they're not old enough to eat on their own yet," said Brenda Cameron, founder and president of Purrfect Companions of Norfolk. "They're healthy so they haven't been without mom for very long."

It's believed the kittens are only about four weeks old.

From Purrfect Companions of Norfolk the kittens will go to a foster home and will eventually be put up for adoption once they're older.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.