It’s truly heartbreaking when someone abandons their pet. But having a pet is an expensive responsibility, and some people find themselves in life situations where they are unable to care for their animals.
Recently, one shelter found some kittens left at their door with a heartbreaking note — and wrote a surprising, touching response to their former owners.
On November 7, the Asheville Humane Society, in North Carolina, wrote on social media that two kittens were left outside their door. They were also left with a heartbreaking note from the former owners:
“This is not what we wanted to do, but we can’t give them the life they deserve. Please take care of them, we do love them.”
While shelters don’t like to see pets abandoned outside and prefer that they go through the proper channels, the letter touched the staff and made it clear that leaving the kittens behind was no easy decision.
In their post, the Asheville Humane Society addressed the kittens’ owners, making it clear that they did not judge them. “Thank you for asking for help. Thank you for entrusting us with pets you clearly love,” they wrote.
“Surrendering a pet is an excruciating decision to make. Please know that we are responding with no anger, no resentment, no ill will – just a hope that we can help, someway, somehow.”
Instead of shaming the owners, the shelter lent out their hand, offering to help the cats’ owners in any way they could so they wouldn’t have to separate with them.
“This offer is just that, an offer. It is not a mandate. It is not intended to shame you into coming back. But if you want to, we will do everything in our power to give you what you need to stay together. Food, medical care, counseling, whatever you need – we’ll make it happen.”
“Our mission is to make families whole and to keep them together – we will do everything we can for you and for your family. We are here for you. We don’t have any judgment, just a LOT of cat food.”
People across North Carolina are still reeling from the devastating Hurricane Helene that hit weeks ago. The storm caused widespread structural damage and has displaced many from their homes. Some have been forced to surrender their pets as they struggle to find animal-friendly housing. It’s not clear if these kittens were surrendered due to the hurricane, but the shelter was sympathetic to the possibility.
“People are hurting, especially now,” the Asheville Humane Society wrote. “There has been so much loss, so much hardship. You are not alone in your struggles. We’re right there with you. We want to help.”
According to McClatchy News, the owners have so far not taken up the shelter’s offer to help. But the cats, named Aurora and Villa, are settling in well and being well taken care of. If no one comes forward, the cats will be put up for adoption and hopefully find great new homes soon.
“But the best part is that, no matter what, this story will have a happy ending,” the humane society wrote to the cats’ former family. “Your kittens are currently receiving every ounce of love you requested from our animal care staff. They’ve become shelter favorites. They snuggle in soft kennels with every resource they need. If reuniting you isn’t possible, they’ll find the right place and the right person. Their story will continue – and it’ll be a happy one.”
Even if Aurora and Villa do not end up reuniting with their former owners, people were moved that the humane society made the sympathetic gesture to try to keep the family together.
“Now this is what animal welfare is all about!” one person commented. “I applaud Asheville Humane Society for seeing the human side of this and offering a solution. We are so quick to judge before knowing the why. Bravo.”
“This made me cry happy tears! Such kindness and love all around,” another wrote.
“Your act of kindness without judgement restores my faith in humanity. Thank you for being here on this planet Earth.”
Shelters are always looking out for the animals in their community, and often that means doing whatever they can to keep pets and their owners together. While the owners might not accept their offer, it’s nice that they tried to do the right thing.
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READ MORE:
- Dog abandoned outside shelter with heartbreaking note and tears in her eyes — soon she gets good news
- Dog ended up in the shelter after his owner died — familiar face travels thousands of miles to get him
