A routine dog walk turned into a graveyard rescue on Tuesday morning when several tiny kittens were discovered stuffed inside a suitcase among the headstones of a Cincinnati cemetery. The animals were quickly turned over to Cincinnati Animal CARE, where staff began medical checks and care. Shelter workers say the find highlights how stretched local shelters are during peak kitten season.
According to Local 12, the kittens were found beneath a heavy blanket inside the suitcase and are estimated to be about four weeks old, which is too young to be separated from their mother. The station reports that Cincinnati Animal CARE staff described the kittens as appearing healthy and said they will receive vaccines before being made available for adoption.
Shelter care and adoption process
Per Cincinnati Animal CARE, incoming animals go through intake exams, vaccinations and microchipping as part of the shelter's standard adoption routine. Once the kittens are medically cleared and old enough, the organization lists them for adoption with required spay or neuter procedures and microchipping.
How to report abandoned animals
If you find an abandoned or injured animal, the city advises contacting the proper authorities so the animals can be collected and the situation investigated. The City of Cincinnati directs people to call Cincinnati Animal CARE’s dog wardens at 513-541-PETS to report suspected cruelty or abandonment.
Why this matters now
The rescue comes as Cincinnati Animal CARE has been operating under a "Code Red" alert because of limited kennel space and high intake numbers. In a June 19 announcement, the shelter said kennel space was critically limited and urged the public to foster, adopt or donate to create room for incoming animals. According to Cincinnati Animal CARE, community support is vital to keep up with the summer surge in kittens.
