Kittens found in zipped leather bag in NSW

Three kittens have been handed in to a vet after being found hot and distressed in a zipped leather bag in NSW's north.

Police say a man handed the kittens to a vet at Lismore on Thursday, after finding the bag hanging from the tow ball of his Pajero, which had been parked near a recycling centre.

The kittens had a temperature of 41 degrees and were "highly distressed" when taken in for emergency treatment, police say.

Officers would like to speak to the man who dropped the kittens at the vet and urge anyone with information to come forward.