The work of an animal rescuer is full of the deep satisfaction that comes from giving furry friends a second chance, but it’s never easy. Perhaps the most upsetting moments are finding animals left in the most tragic ways.
Imagine going about your day when someone points out an old, worn cardboard box, hinting that there may be furbabies inside.
That’s exactly what happened to a rescue team in New York after a passerby noticed a shocking sight in a parking lot. When the rescuers arrived and opened the box, their hearts immediately went out to the little occupants.
Tiny Kittens Left Alone
The team at Ten Lives Club in New York is used to seeing abandonment stories, but this one hit especially hard. A random passerby had reported seeing a cardboard box moving in a nearby parking lot.
When the rescue team went to investigate, they discovered three teeny kittens huddled together inside.
“Someone came into Ten Lives Club at the Transit Hill Plaza and said they see a “box moving” down further in the parking lot. Our dedicated team went out to investigate and found the kittens,” the rescue organization wrote in the post.
Next to the kittens was a cat bed, suggesting these babies had been abandoned on purpose.
“The box was basically closed and there was a cat bed in the box so we know this was no accident. The kittens were terrified & starving. This is unacceptable,” the rescuers added.
The team searched for the mother, hoping she might be nearby. Their assumptions proved correct. She had been watching over her kittens, keeping them in sight from a distance.
The rescuers quickly gathered the kittens and their mother and brought them safely to the facility.
The kittens were later moved to a foster home, where they will receive the care and warmth they need to grow strong.
Meanwhile, the mother cat will remain in the shelter to decompress, recover, and await her second chance at life.
Ongoing Problem Of Abandonment
According to Ten Lives Club, leaving kittens in a box is sadly not an isolated incident. These acts of abandonment happen often and appear to be increasing each year.
To prevent heartbreaking situations like this, the team encourages anyone unable to care for their pets to contact the surrender line. This ensures animals have a chance to start a new life rather than being left on the streets.
“If you ever find yourself unable to care for your cats or kittens, please call our surrender line. We will work with you. There is ALWAYS a better way,” the New York organization concluded.
With increased awareness, hopefully incidents like this will become far less common.