“My heart was pounding.”
Rescuer Discovers Abandoned Kittens Outside Vet Clinic — And Steps In to Save Them
Lea Elise Haverstock, founder of Maxx and Me Pet Rescue, is no stranger to helping animals in need. But during what should have been a routine vet visit with a rescue dog named Hennessy, Haverstock found herself facing an unexpected rescue mission.
As she arrived for Hennessy’s appointment, a cardboard box sitting on the stones outside the veterinary clinic caught her attention. Trusting her instincts, she cautiously peeked inside — and was stunned to find five tiny gray kittens, huddled together, letting out faint cries.
“They looked up at me,” Haverstock recalled. “I could hear their little cries — it was heartbreaking.”
Even with her vast rescue experience, the discovery left her momentarily shaken.
“My heart was pounding. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, but I knew I had to act fast,” she said.
Since she had arrived early for Hennessy’s checkup, Haverstock immediately called out to the vet staff for help, unsure of how long the kittens had been left alone.
“I didn’t know if they had been sitting there for minutes or hours, but I knew they needed urgent care,” she added.
All the while, gentle Hennessy waited patiently by her side, as if sensing that something important was happening.
“He was incredible — such a gentle giant. He stood by quietly while I tried to get help,” Haverstock said.
The frightened kittens continued to cry until veterinary technicians quickly came out, carefully scooping them up and taking them inside for examination.
Luckily, Pet First Veterinary Hospital, where Haverstock had brought Hennessy, has a robust rescue program and was fully prepared to care for the kittens. The little ones were given a safe and warm space, and thanks to the clinic’s support network, they were soon on their way to recovery and eventually, loving homes.
“The babies are now safe and cared for, and that’s all that matters,” Haverstock said, relieved.
What began as an ordinary vet visit turned into a lifesaving moment — all thanks to Haverstock’s sharp instincts and compassionate heart.