A pet owner who dumped a blind baby guinea pig with a sign asking the finder to look after it is being sought today by the RSPCA.

The animal was left inside a cardboard box in a carrier bag on top of a wheelie bin in Southampton and was about to be thrown into a rubbish lorry when a householder checked inside.

The box had a cardboard sign which read: ''His name is Fred. Please take care of it thank you :).''

The young guinea pig, which is approximately four months old, is actually female.

The box, which previously contained a BT telephone and answer machine, was discovered at 6.30pm on Sunday November 21 on top of a wheelie bin outside a house in Radcliffe Road.

Sue Brooks, an RSPCA animal welfare officer, said: ''This poor creature had a very lucky escape.

''Had someone not thought to look in the box before putting it inside a bin, she could easily have been thrown in the back of a rubbish lorry and been crushed in its metal jaws.

''There is never an excuse for abandoning an animal in this way and I would urge anyone with information about this animal to contact the RSPCA so we can ensure there are no other animals in the home which are not being properly cared for.''

The animal was found to have a shrunken right eye and little vision in its left eye.

It is thought the eye problems are probably birth defects possibly as a result of it being undernourished whilst still in the womb, suggesting its mother may not have been adequately fed when she was pregnant, according to Ms Brooks.

She said the guinea pig, named Beattie by RSPCA staff, is eating well and does not seem to mind being handled.

It is being cared for at the RSPCA Ashley Heath animal centre near Ringwood but is not yet ready for rehoming.

Anyone with information about the guinea pig is urged to contact in confidence the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 0300 1234 999 and leave a message for AWO Brooks.