One kitten is dead and another is recovering after they were discovered in a zip-tied box inside a Kanata dumpster earlier this month, according to the Ottawa Humane Society.

A contractor working at a housing complex on Leacock Drive made the discovery May 2 after he heard meowing coming from the nearby dumpster.

Inside, he found two kittens — one male and one female — in a red plastic box.

Investigators said the kittens had likely been in the dumpster since April 30.

The humane society said both kittens were dehydrated and had infections.

Veterinarians treated the animals, but the male kitten died from an upper respiratory infection last week.

His sister, named Daisy, is still recovering.

"She's a lively little girl who is incredibly sweet and cuddly," said Bruce Roney, the Ottawa Humane Society's executive director, in a release.

"You'd never know how close she came to being carted off to a landfill somewhere in that sealed box to her certain death."

Anyone with information is asked to call Ottawa Humane Society's investigators at 613-725-3166 ext. 224.