A few weeks ago in New York, a woman walking home from work noticed a dirty canvas tote sitting on the sidewalk. The bag was zipped shut — except for the words “cats caution” scribbled on the side.
Alarmed, she unzipped the bag and gasped. Inside were four newborn kittens, no more than 2 weeks old and each smaller than the palm of her hand.
The woman, who volunteers with PuppyKittyNYC, immediately contacted the organization’s president, Meagan Licari.
“They were crying a lot because they probably hadn't eaten in a few hours,” Licari told The Dodo. Fortunately, the kittens weren’t sick, malnourished or infested with parasites.
“They probably had a mom who was taking good care of them,” Licari said.
But at such a young age, the babies needed round-the-clock care. Licari quickly found an experienced foster who could bottle-feed them throughout the day and night. The kittens moved into their foster’s bathroom, snuggling on soft blankets tucked inside the bathtub.
Now 4 weeks old, the tiny siblings are thriving. They’re learning to eat on their own, transitioning from bottles to wet food, and spending their days wobbling around, wrestling with one another and exploring their little world.
“They're starting to really walk around and play,” Licari said. “It's like they have sea legs.”
The kittens — named Shoelace, Buckle, Button and, fittingly, Zipper — are each developing their own big personalities. Buckle, for instance, has a lot to say for such a small cat.
“They’re doing really well,” Licari said.
In about four more weeks, once they’re vaccinated and spayed or neutered, the quartet will be ready for adoption. Licari hopes they’ll go home in pairs, or to families who already have a young cat so they can continue to socialize and grow with a buddy.
After such a frightening start, these little adventurers are finally safe — and soon, they’ll be ready for loving homes where they’ll never be abandoned again.
Those interested in adopting one of the kittens can reach out to PuppyKittyNYC through their website.
