“We’re sorry we couldn’t keep him.”
When a staff member at the Huron Humane Society of Alpena walked into the shelter one morning, she immediately noticed something strange. Near the front doors sat what looked like a simple donation — a box of cat food and a taped-up Smirnoff box. But when she peered inside, the box was empty.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted movement.
Behind the shelter’s whiteboard, a tiny kitten was darting back and forth, clearly frightened and unsure of what to do. It seemed he had managed to climb out of the box and couldn’t find his way back in. Without food or protection, the little guy had been left to fend for himself — until now.
Next to the box, the staff member found a handwritten note.
“We’re sorry we couldn’t keep him,” the note read. “The previous owner didn’t tell us he had leukemia while we already have another cat. He’s very playful and loves cuddling. His favorite toy is the mouse we gave him and he likes the food we left.”
The note revealed that the kitten had tested positive for feline leukemia (FeLV), a contagious viral disease that makes rehoming cats challenging. The previous owners had bathed him for fleas and, realizing they couldn’t safely keep him, left him at the shelter’s door.
The staff quickly scooped up the kitten, providing him with food, water, and a heating pad. Aside from being a little thin, he was in decent shape — bright-eyed, affectionate, and eager for attention.
Since Halloween was just around the corner, the team gave him a new name: Freddy Krueger.
While the shelter was grateful that the kitten was brought somewhere safe, they used the incident as a teaching moment.
“First, thank you for not abandoning him on the side of the road,” the shelter wrote on Facebook. “But please — this still isn’t the right way to surrender a pet. The proper way is to call first. We’ll help. That’s what we’re here for.”
Freddy is now safe in the care of the Huron Humane Society team, who are working to confirm his diagnosis and determine the best treatment options. Despite everything, he’s just as sweet and cuddly as his note described.
With a bit of love and care, this resilient little kitten will soon be ready for the forever home he deserves — one where he’ll never be left behind again.