10/08/2026
Two weeks ago, a neighbor’s dog alerted them to a new scent on their routine walk: two carriers with kittens and their mamas had been left behind our shelter.
While it’s understandable to have strong feelings about what happened, this moment also gives us an opportunity to talk about the blame and stigma that can surround pet surrender. 💔
We don’t know the story behind the person who left these cats with us. But we do know that people in our community sometimes face circumstances that make caring for a pet difficult or impossible: losing housing, financial or health crises, inaccessible veterinary care, leaving an abusive situation, moving somewhere that doesn’t allow animals, realizing their lifestyle isn’t the right fit for their pet’s needs, or pets who simply aren’t getting along.
These circumstances can be complicated, and there’s rarely a simple story behind a person’s decision to give up a pet. In many cases, the decision comes from the hope that the animal will have the care and stability it needs.
When people fear judgment, they may be less likely to seek help or admit they’re struggling, making it harder to find safe options for their pets.
That’s why it’s so important to create places where people can ask for help without fear of judgment. While we are not an open-admission shelter and cannot accept owner surrenders of non-Tree House cats, we will point community members toward resources and meet them with empathy and compassion.
And what happened to those 13 kittens and their three mamas? 🐱 Some are now in foster homes, growing and getting the care they need. Others are at our shelter, getting ready for adoption. (And one’s already been adopted!) They’re safe, they’re cared for, and their next chapters are just beginning. 📖
