She couldn’t believe her eyes.
South Bend Police Rescue 15 Abandoned Cats From Alleyway Box
In July 2025, two South Bend Police Department officers — Kurz and Taborn — received an unusual call that turned into a heartwarming rescue mission. A woman walking her dog on the city’s southeast side had discovered a cardboard box filled with kittens and immediately called for help.
The Shocking Discovery
The Good Samaritan waited at the scene until officers arrived. Guiding them through a dark alleyway, she pointed to the box where faint meows could be heard. When the officers carefully opened the flaps, they were stunned to find 15 kittens huddled together inside.
“Oh, wow, there [are] a lot of them in here!” one officer exclaimed in a video taken at the scene.
From Alleyway to Safety
The kittens didn’t resist their rescuers. Instead, they calmly allowed the officers to scoop them up and place them safely inside a patrol vehicle.
“The cats were not overly fearful,” said Ashley O’Chap, South Bend Police Department’s director of communications. “They did not run away when police officers opened the box.”
Next Stop: South Bend Animal Resource Center
The officers transported all 15 cats to the South Bend Animal Resource Center (SBARC), where staff members gave them medical evaluations, food, and comfort. Once they’re fully recovered, SBARC will work to place each cat in a loving forever home.
A Brighter Future Ahead
Thanks to one woman’s quick action and the compassion of South Bend police officers, these cats have gone from being abandoned in an alley to having a real chance at a future filled with care, comfort, and family.