A litter of kittens was found early Wednesday in a cardboard box next to a trash can outside Fred Meyer in Salmon Creek. Four of the kittens were badly dehydrated and sick; their eyes were crusted over, they were sneezing, coughing and hungry, said Vet Technician Sarah Kirsten at Companion Pet Clinic, which is next door to Fred Meyer. A fifth kitten was found deceased in the box.
The kittens, estimated to be four or five weeks old, were taken inside the clinic where staff are helping the four felines get back on their feet. Kirsten takes the kittens — one calico female and three black males — home with her at night.
“They were very hungry when we got them,” she said.
She’s not sure how long they were in the box. Kittens can get dehydrated easily after spending a couple hours inside a box in direct sunlight, she said.
After getting fed, cleaned and treated for their upper respiratory problems, the kittens are starting to perk up. The clinic will monitor them until they’re healthy, and then send them to Furry Friends, a cat rescue and adoption organization. Kirsten urges pet owners to spay and neuter their pets to avoid this kind of situation.
