12 newborn kittens dumped during rain storm saved from animal control by cat lover who cared for them for 72hrs straight, fighting to keep them alive and find them homes: ‘All the kittens are alive and well with fosters!‘

Author image for Laurent Shinar
Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Aug 11, 2026 11:00 AM EDT

It is not often that a feline rescue involves more than one cat, let alone the 12 kittens that were saved from being put to sleep in this rescue story. So you can imagine that whatever may happen, we are in for a wild ride with this one.

In keeping with the unique nature of this story, the kittens in question were not even dumped on our rescuer's property as usually happens. They were found by animal control on the back neighbor's property, and when our rescuer stepped out to see what the hubbub was about she came to understand that 12 tiny kittens were about to be sent to sleep furever, not even being given a chance to enjoy all the churus and tummy skritches that this life holds for them. Despite the overwhelming amount of kittens our rescuer decided that she would take the responsibility and at least for the moment give these kittens a chance to at least learn to enjoy a cuddle.

This is where the hard work began and our rescuer essentially did not sleep for 72 hrs, giving the kittens round the clock care while also trying to find suitable homes to send them to before they are left with no other choice than to be surrendered to the shelter. A fate which their rescuer really did not want to befall them, but one that might end up being an unfortunate eventuality. Thankfully, this is a story with a happy ending, one that shows the true colors of the cat lovers community and what we feline fans are truly willing to do for feline kind.
 

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01
    "I called over 30 groups/ organizations and none would take them." DUMPED
    via ktaddie

    Several kittens of various colors bundled together in a cat carrier

    Kittens represented by models

  • 02
    Long story short. 12 kittens were dumped on the property behind mine in the middle of a rain storm. The animal control officer told us either I keep all 12 or he would take them and eue
    via ktaddie
  • 03
    them as the shelter isn't 24/7 and they need to be bottle fed. So here I am with 12 babies and a goal to keep them alive until Tuesday
    via ktaddie
  • 04
    when the shelter opens. I've dried them, stimulated them to pe and put a heating pad on low while I run and get emergency formula.
    via ktaddie
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10653617408
    via ktaddie
  • 06
    Pictures so my heart isn't the only one bl..ng tonight. Any advice is welcome and I've never attempted this before but it was
    via ktaddie
  • 07
    either take them and try to keep them alive or they all get put down so a girls gotta try!
    via ktaddie

  • Talk about taking the weight of the world on your shoulders eh? This is one heck of a rescue and one that puts the immense responsibility of keeping newborn kittens alive squarely upon one pawson’s shoulders. Luckily our cat loving rescuer is one who can handle a bit of weight and looks to be hitting the ground running, even if she might be a bit weak at the knees from the overwhelming amount of kittens in her care. And it is more than fair enough, even the most experienced of feline rescuers would think twice before taking on an actual dozen of kittens in one go. 
     

  • 08
    HHA
    via ktaddie
  • 09
    All 12 are still alive! There are 2 that are still acting lethargic but are still eating but are also the smallest. I think they are maybe 2 weeks old as their eyes are open but ears are folded. Also,
    via ktaddie
  • 10
    more than half either I don't have a tail or has less than held of one. No trauma seen. This morning, once petsmart opens I will get some kitten replacement formula. And continue to
    via ktaddie
  • 11
    feed them and at least keep them warm, loved and with a full belly while I have them. So, the ACO officer told me to bring them back Tuesday as that is when
    via ktaddie
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10653617664
    via ktaddie
  • 13
    they can contact their fosters to take them but I have reserve about bring them there. It is not a no k. shelter and there isn't one in the immediate area. The one cat charity is incredibly hard to work
    via ktaddie
  • 14
    with. Both on them taking kittens and adopting from them, which is their choice I suppose. I am hesitant on posting my location on here but I obviously need help. I have su ry in 2 weeks
    via ktaddie

  • Well, it hardly gets more dramatic than that, but this rescuer is totally right to be fearful. Laws in different states, counties and countries can mean very different things when it comes to working with the shelter system. In some cases the moment the animal leaves your hands they enter a loop de loop of red tape and will not be released until an unreasonable amount of requirements are met. And seeing as the fate of these kittens if they are not fostered quickly is one that we shall not speak off here, you can imagine how tough a decision this must have been to make. 
     

  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10653617920
    via ktaddie
  • 16
    and can't keep bottle feeding 12 kittens until they are of age to adopt. And even if I could, I don't know 10 people that want a kitten as we would like to keep 2 but not 12 (despite my son's protest ).
    via ktaddie
  • 17
    I hate to ask for more advice but is anyone familiar with an organization that takes bottle babies in the DFW? I don't have facebook or Nextdoor and we live in a small town outside of DFW. But I'm willing to drive/coordinate
    via ktaddie
  • 18
    Well guys we did it. The last 3 days have been a blur but it was worth it. Sorry for the delay in the update in writing this now after a 0300 feed. I'll try to keep it short and I'm
    via ktaddie
  • 19
    Cheezburger Image 10653618944
    via ktaddie
  • 20
    sorry if I didn't message you back or reply back it was... alot at once haha. I tried to make an update earlier but the mods took it down since I mentioned not to financially support me but a charity instead.
    via ktaddie
  • 21
    All the kittens are alive and well with fosters! Thank you to this incredible community for making it possible. Your advice and words of encouragement got us through it.
    via ktaddie
  • 22
    The kittens got distributed out to different fosters with 1 being a Redditor found off this post! Huge shout out to u/clean_ad_1556 for taking some!
    via ktaddie
  • 23
    GU
    via ktaddie
  • 24
    Obligatory Reddit meet up photo thrown in the photos! I called over 30 groups/ organizations and none would take them and I
    via ktaddie
  • 25
    was beginning to think the shelter was the only option but finally North Texas Barn Cats said she would help! She runs a non profit that finds non adoptable feral cats and rehomed them as barn
    via ktaddie
  • 26
    cats. On special occasions however, she takes bottle babies and gets them adopted out as normal adoptions.If you visit her website there's a way to inquire about adopting one once they turn of
    via ktaddie
  • 27
    age. Lastly I want to thank my tenant for hearing the kittens in the rain, jumping the fence and calling me, mildly trespassing was worth it.
    via ktaddie
  • 28
    As well as u/gimme_more_cats for your help and willingness to take some. Thank you all again, this community has absolutely saved these kittens and changed our lives.
    via ktaddie

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

keep smol kittens homes storm care animal control find reddit story saved cat story fighting alive newborn dumped rain cat lovers
Scroll Down For The Next Article