Kitten Boxes Are Abandoned Outside A Pet Store – With Such a Terribly sad Note
Kristi Idnurm arrived at work on a recent Sunday morning to find a message waiting for her.
Three ripped pages of notebook paper were taped to the front door of Pet Valu in Georgetown, Delaware, where Idnurm works when she is not operating the rescue group Kristi’s Kats, Inc.
She realized she needed to run out to the rear of the store as she read the message.
She discovered numerous blanket-wrapped boxes and cartons waiting for her. There were 22 cats and kittens inside.
“It was definitely a shock to see that there were cats left outside the store,” Idnurm told The Dodo.
Unlike previous instances of abandoned animals, these cats were evidently properly cared for. They were all healthy and litter box trained.
The message, which was placed with the cats somewhere between Saturday, January 5, and early Sunday, January 6, had some explanation.
“”I’ve been saving animals for as long as I can remember,” the message said, “but this year has totally broken me.” Out back are all the kids I haven’t found homes for, and I’m running out of time.”
The animals were obviously a part of a much broader, sad narrative. The message requested understanding, saying, “Please comprehend and read this before you judgment.”
This individual, who had spent so much effort to rescuing needy animals, had lately experienced unexpected family losses. His or her son was involved in a vehicle accident and required extensive treatment. An aunt grew unwell and passed away of liver cancer. The anonymous cat sitter used up all of his or her cash to bury the aunt.
The individual was then served with notice that he or she would be evicted from the residence where he or she had been residing. Instead of packing, I spent the final few weeks before moving out looking for the cats’ new homes.
Idnurm had to rush around looking for locations for the cats to go. She was able to secure fosters for all of the cats after sending many urgent SMS to volunteers with Kristi’s Kats.
“My volunteers showed up in droves to wash carriers, fill litter boxes, prepare lists, and answer inquiries,” Idnurm explained.
Some cats were adopted by Town Cats of Ocean City in Maryland, while others were adopted by Coastal Cat Rescue in Bethany, Delaware. While waiting to be adopted, some cats were placed in the homes of employees.
While leaving animals is never a good choice, maybe the collaborative effort that provided these kitties a happy ending will put some hope into the life of the person who so desperately abandoned them.
“It was a collaborative effort to ensure their safety,” Idnurm explained.