A THREE-MONTH old kitten has been rescued from a group of boys who were about to set her alight with a blowtorch.

Staff at Perth's Cat Haven said three-month old Kiki was rescued by a passer-by, who saw the animal being tortured by a group of boys at Waikiki Beach near Rockingham, south of Perth.

The four boys, believed to be in their early teens, were tossing around a young female kitten and about to burn it with a lit blowtorch when the woman intervened.

The kitten was cared for at her home before being handed over to a Cat Haven volunteer, who brought it to the Shenton Park shelter in the city's western suburbs.

Kiki did not suffer any serious injuries and is recovering well from her ordeal, Cat Haven spokesman David Settelmaier said.

The cat's owners are now being sought.

"It's unfathomable how young people could treat a defenceless animal with such utter cruelty and malice," Mr Settelmaier said.

"We urge anyone who recognises her to come forward and contact Cat Haven so that we can reunite her with her family."

"We're glad Kiki is safe, and we hope she can return home soon."

She was neither microchipped nor sterilised, but was wearing a tan-coloured collar embossed with black hearts, with a silver-coloured bell attached.

The RSPCA has been contacted for comment.