Late last month, an animal carer at PAWS Atlanta arrived for her morning shift as usual. Outside the shelter gates in Atlanta, USA, an unusual object caught her eye: an Eggland’s Best cardboard box, sitting right there in plain sight.
As she got closer, she spotted a tiny pink nose poking through a hole in the side. The box didn't contain eggs, but six kittens, abandoned at the shelter's entrance. It was a sadly familiar sight for the team at PAWS Atlanta.
A shocking discovery, but healthy kittens
According to Brenna Lakeson, Communications and Community Engagement Manager for PAWS Atlanta, these “egg box kittens” were unfortunately just one of many groups abandoned in the same way last year. Although it's a frequent occurrence, it's still a distressing experience for the team.
The six kittens were immediately taken in and examined. None of them had any serious injuries. They were only suffering from a few fleas, which were quickly treated. They were a little underweight when they arrived, but they soon regained their strength with the right food.
Foster homes and a happy ending
The kittens were then placed in foster homes, an essential step for their healthy development. According to PAWS Atlanta, this type of care is particularly crucial for the youngest animals, who need constant, individualised attention.
Once they were three months old, the kittens were neutered. They were then ready to find their forever homes. Named Hard Boiled, Sunnyside, Scramble, Omelette, Yolkster and Eggs Benedict, they all found a home. Sunnyside and Omelette, who were very attached to each other, were even adopted together.
