She was about to drive away, then …
The other night, a volunteer at Room 8 Memorial Cat Foundation stopped by the rescue late to check on some kittens who needed around-the-clock care. As she was getting ready to head home around 4 or 5 a.m., she got into her car and was about to drive off.
But something made her stop.
“I was going to go home, got in the car, and then I got kind of, like, a weird feeling,” said Cat Ouellette, the volunteer, in an interview with The Dodo.
Assuming she was just being paranoid, Ouellette decided to get out and make sure none of the cats had accidentally gotten out. Instead, she found a taped-up box on the ground near the passenger side of her car. On top of it was a note explaining that someone had found a litter of kittens but couldn’t keep them because they had dogs.
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for people to abandon boxes of kittens outside Room 8. Still, finding one in the middle of the night is always a jarring experience.
“People try to do their best, but we try to do our best, too,” Ouellette said. “I’d rather see it there than by a trash can.”
Heartbreakingly, one of the kittens had already passed away. Ouellette quickly brought the other seven into the rescue, where she had everything she needed to care for them.
“I brought them in, fed them immediately, made them some great formula, and just did a little physical exam,” she said.
The tiny kittens were hungry — and all seven eagerly gulped down the formula. It’s now been nearly two weeks since their rescue, and they’re thriving. Volunteers at Room 8 have been taking turns caring for the little fluff balls, whose personalities are just beginning to shine through.
Their story is a powerful reminder of the importance of spaying and neutering pets, as well as supporting trap-neuter-return (TNR) programs for stray cats.
“This could have been prevented if we just got this mom fixed,” Ouellette said. “That’s where the problem starts.”
In about three months, after they’re spayed, neutered, and vaccinated, the kittens will be ready for adoption. Until then, Ouellette is enjoying every moment of their playful kitten energy.
“All I want them to know is how loved they are — and just hope for the best and do what I can,” she said.