Three rare red-footed tortoises have been found by bemused staff in the outdoor display of rabbit hutches at a Pets at Home store in Gloucester.

The staff called the RSPCA, whose officers collected the animals and took them to be checked over by a specialist vet. The vet found the tortoises were cold and slightly underweight but otherwise unharmed by their ordeal.

It's stull uncertain whether the animals were dumped or possibly stolen and then abandoned, as they are quite rare and appear to be in good condition.

Animal Welfare Officer Steve Davies said: “This was a very lucky escape for these tortoises, who require specialist care to keep them happy and healthy. If they had been left exposed to the elements for much longer this could have been a very different story.”

The RSPCA is urging anyone with information about how these tortoises came to be dumped outside a Pets at Home to contact them on 0300 123 8018.

The tortoises are currently being looked after at the Vale Wildlife Centre in Beckford, Gloucester.

These Red-footed tortoises are usually called Chelonoidis carbonaria and are from northern South America.