In a surprising discovery, employees at a Lowe’s store in Pennsylvania stumbled upon seven kittens nestled atop a shelf while unloading a pallet of goods. The kittens had been born there after two adult cats selected the location as their birthing spot.
On Saturday, the team at Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue received a call about the unexpected feline guests, who had taken up residence on the shelves of the Downingtown hardware store.
Lisa Newton, responsible for coordinating cat and kitten rescues for Lucky Dawg, promptly made her way to the Lowe’s located on Cornerstone Boulevard. Upon arrival, she was directed to the Garden Center, as she shared with WPVI.
“It’s nearly impossible for anyone to spot them, and with all the noise, you can barely hear anything,” Newton remarked, highlighting the challenge of detecting the hidden kittens amidst the store’s bustling environment.
It was only when employees attempted to retrieve a pallet from the shelf that the cats were finally noticed, concealed among boxes.
“They had to use the forklift to reach them. One litter was clearly born in that very spot,” Newton explained, describing the effort required to rescue the kittens from their elevated hideaway.
The kittens belonged to two feral cats who were frequent visitors to the Garden Center. They were estimated to be three or four weeks old.
‘I’m just glad we got them early because once they start crawling around, they could fall and die,’ Newton said.
Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue responded to a call after two litters of kittens were found in the shelves of a hardware store
The kittens were found at a Lowe’s located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania on Cornerstone Boulevard
Seven kittens that belonged to two feral mothers were living in a box at the very top shelf
Each cat is now safe and bottle-fed, cared for out of Newton’s home.
‘They have a long road ahead, but they are in the best hands,’ read a Facebook post from the rescue recounting their unusual story on Sunday.
Newton appropriately named them Rose, Forklift, Pallet, Herb, Grass Seed, Planter and Lowe.
Lucky Dawg Rescue noted at the time that it was still searching for the kittens’ mothers.
‘The moms, who are feral, ran off during the rescue, but humane traps have been set and we are hopeful we’ll be able to bring them to safety soon as well,’ read the post.
Rescuers have since located one mother and are still on the hunt for the second. They plan to spay both of them.
The organization is a foster-based rescue that operates out of Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The rescue is run by volunteers and dedicated to rescuing homeless, abused or unwanted animals.
‘We place animals in responsible, committed, and loving homes,’ read their website. ‘Considerable care is taken to find good matches for both the animal and the adopter.
‘Lucky Dawg will remain committed to the animal’s welfare beyond the adoption process.’
The kittens had been living in the Garden Center. The mother cats were known to frequent the outdoor section of the store
The cats are being taken care of by a Lucky Dawg volunteer. They will be ready for adoption in six weeks
After their unusual rescue, the cats were named Rose, Forklift, Pallet, Herb, Grass Seed, Planter and Lowe
The animal rescue has seen hordes of interest from people hoping to adopt one of the kittens. Almost 30 commenters begged to be notified when the kittens were ready to be taken to a loving home.
Inquirers were encouraged to apply for adoption on Lucky Dawg’s website.
The seven kittens should be ready for adoption in six to seven weeks.
The Daily Mail contacted Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue for comment.
