“[They were] just so defeated.”
Four Kittens Rescued from Trash Can Find a Forever Home — Together
A man in California recently made a heartbreaking discovery when he looked into a trash can — four tiny kittens huddled inside, scared and helpless.
Unsure what to do, he contacted The Kris Kelly Foundation, a local animal advocacy nonprofit. The group quickly shared the urgent situation online, hoping a nearby rescuer could respond.
Shira Scott Astrof, president of The Animal Rescue Mission, saw the post and immediately sprang into action. When she arrived and looked into the garbage bin, she saw the frightened little faces staring back at her.
“They just looked so defeated,” Astrof said in a video for The Dodo.
She gently lifted each kitten to safety and brought them home. At first, the kittens hissed and spat, trying to protect themselves. But with warmth, food, and gentle care, their fear melted away in less than a day.
Astrof soon placed the kittens in a foster home and began searching for a permanent family. Through her rescue network, she met Elyse, a devoted cat lover. Elyse began visiting the kittens weekly — and with each visit, her connection to them deepened.
Before long, she realized she couldn’t choose just one.
“It became four or nothing,” Elyse said. “I couldn’t break them up.”
Now, the kittens who were once discarded are thriving together in their forever home, showered with affection.
“To see how far they’ve come — their confidence, their playfulness, how safe they feel — it’s just incredible,” Elyse said. “They’re truly cherished.”