It’s not unusual to hear tales of people tearing into walls of homes for remodeling projects only to discover riches. And now, a Pennsylvania contractor has his own tale of finding treasure in the walls, but instead of money, he found something far more precious…cats!
While working on an abandoned home in Philadelphia, the contractor heard a meow from inside the wall he was working on. As he proceeded to tear away the wall with care, a kitten fell out. But the little one wasn’t the only feline inside the walls of the house.
As ACCT Philly posted on Facebook, “When he opened the wall, he found 9 adult cats with 7 kittens.”
Being a kind soul, he had to help the 16 cats and kittens.
A Full Day of Capturing Cats
Over the next eight hours, this friend to cats hunted, caught, and persuaded these wild cats from the walls. The cats he found ranged from newborn to adult. Laying his hands on the quickest crates he could find, he rounded up the cats and brought them to ACCT Philly.
“We’re so glad that he did, as quite a few aren’t in great shape, and sadly, one of the kittens was not able to be saved.”
Though one kitten was lost, the contractor’s actions saved the lives of the other cats in the wall. From their ragged and filthy condition, it was evident they wouldn’t have made it much longer. As for how the cats got into the walls of the abandoned house, that remains a mystery. But cats are experts at getting into impossible situations, and while they can usually find their way out of them, sometimes they need human help. Luckily for the small wall colony, the contractor who found them knew just what to do.
“They owe their lives to the contractor who saved them and brought them to us,” ACCT Philly told Philadelphia’s WPVI.
Now, the fifteen cats and kittens are in the care of experienced rescue staff, resting in a clean and safe space.
ACCT Philly explains, “The cats are scared, some will require more socialization.”
While the journey is just beginning, the felines are taking their first steps on the path to forever homes.
Kitten Season Isn’t Just a Trickle; It’s a Downpour
Kitten season is always an overwhelming time for rescues and shelters, but this season is already leaving a pronounced mark. ACCT reports the 15 wall rescues were “only some of the more than 40 cats we took in today, and we know that more will be coming through our doors tomorrow and every day.”
Even outside Pennsylvania, other areas are reporting a heavy tide of kittens this season. In Bay County, Florida, the county shelter is seeing an average of 25 kitten intakes per day.
Bay County Spokesperson Valerie Sale told NBC News affiliate WJHG, “We’re seeing a huge influx of cats. Of people calling about kittens that they’ve found, either abandoned or just found or that their cats have had.”
Those involved in the feline world know the only way to stop the overpopulation of cats and kittens is spaying and neutering. Are you interested in learning what you can do to help stem the wild kitten tide? To get involved, check out these articles:
- How TNR Groups Help Feral Cats In The Community
- Give Back To Cats – Donate To A Shelter!
- 6 Ways To Prepare For A Foster Cat
- Kitten Season – Expert Advice On How You Can Help
H/T: www.6abc.com
Feature Image: ACCT Philly/Facebook