I am a member of the Humane Society and have been volunteering at the animal shelter. I would like to tell the city and county of this terrible act of cruelty that happened the third week of May.

We received a call from someone to the Human Society that they had found a kennel lying in the ditch near New Richland. They pulled over to investigate. It was about a 2 1/2- by 4-foot cage all wrapped in cardboard. When they looked inside, they found 27 to 30 cats!

Ten were adults and the rest were little tiny kittens ranging in age from 3-4 weeks to 6-7 weeks old. Five of these little kittens will not ever get a chance at a better life because they were dead. Whether they died from being in the cage with these frantic adults cats trying to get out or from exposure, we couldn’t say. The little ones that did survive were filthy, smelled of cow manure and covered in scratches from the frantic adult cats.

These wonderful people picked up this kennel and took it home where they spent the night till they could get them to the shelter.

While trying to recrate and separate them the next day, five of the adults broke through a window and got away. These people were scratched and bitten trying to separate the adults and kittens.

These good Samaritans got the rest of this bunch to us without losing anymore. Without these caring people (we never got their names) what a horrible end these cats would have had.

Six of the little ones still needed their mother and had to be bottle-fed the first night. The next day the adults had settled down a little and we were able to determine that one of them was a mom and were able to get the tiniest ones to her in time.

All the little ones were covered in scratches, manure (so they came from a farm!) and their eyes were so mattered shut they couldn’t even open them. Many had pus coming out of them!

Without the kindness and care of the fine young people, what a terrible end these cats would have had! Thank you so very much for your act of kindness.

As for the thoughtless, cruel and inhumane persons who did this, I hope this comes back on you. But if you could do this I’m sure you aren’t bothered by it. We’re sure they came from a farm and if anyone has any information, please call the Humane Society, 377-8501.

This incident is only one scenario as to why we need a new shelter built. We are running out of time to get this done. We need to start by the end of June! Please, if you can help, send your donations or help by donating food blankets, towels or your time.

Christy Forman

Albert Lea