3 kittens rescued after being found in East Hartford dumpster, reward for info offered

Three kittens found in a dumpster in East Hartford over the weekend are now safe after being rescued by East Hartford Animal Control. They say a Good Samaritan found the kittens and gave them a call.

Officials said the kittens were just three to four weeks old and had been left inside a box.

East Hartford Animal Control said the kittens were so young they would not have survived on their own. They are not yet able to eat solid food and are currently being bottle-fed. The kittens are described as clean, socialized and likely not born to a feral mother.

“It just gets to the point where you’re speechless. This is every day, an everyday occurrence,” said Zilla Cannamela, of Desmond’s Army.

Desmond’s Army is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of whoever is responsible. Animal control officers are also asking for tips.

Advocates say there are alternatives to abandoning animals.

“Contact rescues. Everybody is full, so there is a waiting list. Do not wait until the 11th hour. Spay and neuter your pets so you don’t end up with all these kittens,” Cannamela said.

Just minutes away from where the kittens were found is Cat Nap Village, a rescue run by Maria Pastuszak.

Pastuszak said both pet owners and rescues are feeling the strain of rising costs, making it harder to care for animals. She said she has rescued thousands of cats over the years that were abandoned in similar situations.

“If you’re going to put them in a box and dump them in the garbage, they had no hope. If you put them in a safe place, even if I’m full, ’ll find a place for them. I’m able to network,” Pastuszak said. “We’re supposed to have empathy. We’re supposed to have compassion. We’re supposed to help each other, and these little things are suffering,” she said.

Source Link