Erielle Bernardo, an animal care associate at Mini Cat Town, was going about her usual day when a woman walked into the shelter — with a dog in tow.
Bernardo was just about to gently let her know that dogs aren’t allowed inside, when she noticed the woman urgently holding out her phone.
The woman, who didn’t speak English, showed Bernardo a translated message: she'd found a cat carrier filled with kittens abandoned in the mall parking lot.
Bernardo immediately followed her outside, winding through the shopping center until they reached the carrier. When she looked inside, her heart skipped a beat — staring up at her were six nearly identical, wide-eyed black kittens, huddled together in fear.
“I didn’t expect there to be six,” Bernardo told The Dodo. “They were obviously scared. They were all pressed together at the back of the carrier.”
Only about 6 weeks old, the kittens seemed well-fed and relatively healthy — suggesting that someone had been caring for them before they were left behind.
Although Mini Cat Town primarily handles adoptions rather than taking in new rescues, Bernardo explained the situation to her supervisors. Moved by the kittens’ story, they quickly agreed to bring them into the shelter’s foster program.
While the team began looking for a foster volunteer, Bernardo had a sudden feeling: maybe she was meant to take them in herself. Despite never having fostered before, she jumped in — not for one kitten, but for all six.
She gave them names inspired by DJs: Toki, Kaskade, Zedd, Kaytra, Softie, and Partyboy.
In just two weeks, the once-frightened kittens had begun to thrive. They were gaining weight, exploring their space, and letting their unique personalities emerge.
Toki’s purr could rival a motor, Kaskade and Zedd love to snuggle, Kaytra prefers her independence, and Softie and Partyboy are constant wrestling partners.
“It’s been so rewarding and so much fun to be with them,” Bernardo said.
In just a few weeks, these lucky kittens will be ready for adoption — and Bernardo is hopeful they’ll each find a loving forever home.
If you’re in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to follow their journey — or are interested in adopting — Bernardo shares updates on her Instagram. You can also reach out to Mini Cat Town directly for more information.
After being abandoned in a parking lot, these six little survivors are now getting the love they deserve — and thanks to one woman’s compassion, their future is bright.
To help more animals like these kittens, consider donating to Mini Cat Town.
