I was out and about enjoying my birthday, shopping and using my birthday coupons–Chico’s, Ulta, Sephora–all the good places, when I came across a young woman looking as though she’d fallen on the sidewalk. I hurried over to see if she needed help. She did, but not the kind I’d imagined.
She was on her stomach peering over the edge of the sidewalk and risking decapitation every time a car sped by because she’d found a tiny kitten venturing into traffic, and subsequently discovered its siblings living in a storm drain.
Other passerby stopped to help. We rounded up a large box from Bed, Bath, & Beyond and a blanket from my car. I walked over to PetSmart and got some kitten milk and a bowl. The brave little kitten came to us immediately, and we put him in the box, but the other four were cowering as far away as possible.
One member of our group called the animal shelter. They promised to dispatch an animal control officer, but said it might take awhile. I assured everyone that I’d stay until someone came to pick up our little guy, and that if no one showed up I’d take him home for the night.
Reluctantly everyone went their separate ways, having classes or jobs awaiting them, and I was left babysitting the kitten in the box and watching for one of the others to make an appearance.
A number of folks stopped to visit and to coo at the kitten, who by this time I’d dubbed Alex. I figured that would work for either a boy or a girl. But after an hour, no one from the shelter came to our aid.
I was just about to pack Alex into my car when a young woman came down my way and fell in love with Alex. She wanted him/her, but had to get her brother’s approval. After a quick call to him and an ok, she prepared to take Alex home–on the bus! I squelched that pretty quickly and told her I’d give her a ride home. I was relieved that I wouldn’t need to care for a kitten.
However, while we were standing there gathering up Alex and his meager possessions someone (yes, me) kicked the kitten milk over and another of the tiny kittens was lapping it up and inching our way. So intent was this little one on the trail of milk that I scooped him up and had him in the box before he could even mew. Yep, it looked like I was going to have an overnight guest after all.
This one appears to be the runt of the litter. She’s completely black and so hungry. I’ve got her snuggled down in the box with a blanket and kitten milk. I am not keeping her, but since I found her on my birthday, I’m naming her Cake.
Please wish us success tonight. She is very weak.
Peace, People!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Did anyone from the Animal Shelter arrive? What happened with the other 3 kittens? What will do with little Cake?
And, Happy Birthday!
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No one ever came from the shelter. When we called they told us they really don’t worry about the storm drain kittens. Apparently there are hundreds of them all over town. So, 3 remain there–unless they venture out and someone else finds them. Cake will be taken to the shelter first thing tomorrow.
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Oh, that’s really sad about all those abandoned kittens! I hope cake survives and gets a decent home.
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Same here! I’ll look in on her at the shelter on my volunteer days.
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And thank you!
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Again happy birthday………..I hope you and Cake have a successful night. Yes what did happen to the other kittens……do you know?
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Animal Services said there are too many storm drain kitties for them to collect, so they’ll just be feral unless someone else comes along to coax them out.
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Random acts of kindness warm our hearts!
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One of the ladies who stopped to help said it felt like a lifetime movie with all of us strangers helping out.
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Or at least a blog post making more people aware!
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Oh that is so sad, poor critters. I hope for a good luck for them because the first one was really lucky, and hopefully it runs in the family. Happy birthday again!!!
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😍
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What a wonderful birthday story! I hope Cake gets stronger. She does look very tiny, but she was lucky enough to get help. I’ve recently adopted a kitten that was found in a mattress. She is a sweetheart 🙂
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Oh! What did you name her?
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Mattie lol! However, she equally answers to the name trouble 🙂
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Mattie is perfect!!!
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Oh poor little babies!
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I know!!!
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