Edmond police say they have identified a person in connection with four kittens left in a trash can at a Lowe's parking lot on October 13. Detectives are continuing to investigate.
According to the KOKH report, the Edmond Police Department said a white Ford truck towing a trailer entered the Lowe's parking lot. Police have since identified the person who left the kittens behind. The department had asked anyone who recognized the truck or had information about the driver to call Edmond Animal Services at (405) 216-7615.
What the Law Says About Dumping Pets in Public
Abandoning an animal in a public or private place in Oklahoma is not a gray area under state law. Oklahoma Statutes Title 21 Section 1691 makes it a misdemeanor to deposit any live dog, cat, or other domestic animal along a roadway or in any public or private place with the intent to abandon it, according to the relevant statute hosted on Westlaw.
The exposure can grow far more serious depending on what happens to the animals afterward. If an abandoned animal suffers severe physical harm, neglect, or death, prosecutors can file felony animal cruelty charges under Oklahoma Statutes Title 21 Section 1685, which carries up to five years in state prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or up to one year in county jail, per the Wirth Law Office. If any of the four kittens found in the Lowe's trash can required veterinary attention, that exam could also trigger another layer of accountability: state law under Title 21 Section 1680.3 requires veterinarians who suspect cruelty or neglect to report it to law enforcement within 24 hours, a mandatory-reporting rule outlined by the Stillwater Attorney blog that also grants vets immunity from civil liability for good-faith reports.
Where Edmond Pet Owners Can Legally Surrender Animals
A separate case in Lawton involved nine cats found alive in sealed plastic totes outside an animal shelter. In its June 2, 2025, report, KSWO said the cats had no food, water or adequate ventilation. Unlike the four kittens found in a trash can at an Edmond Lowe's, the Lawton cats were discovered in totes outside a shelter.
Edmond Animal Services operates the city's municipal shelter at 2424 Old Timbers Drive inside the Crosstimbers Complex, serving as the official intake point for strays and owner surrenders from within Edmond city limits, according to a listing on Petfinder. Owners seeking to surrender a pet must schedule an appointment 10 to 14 days in advance by calling (405) 216-7615 rather than simply dropping off an animal, per the City of Edmond. Pets adopted through the shelter carry a flat $25 fee covering spay or neuter surgery, vaccinations and microchipping.
Other options for Edmond cat owners
For residents seeking help before surrendering a pet, Edmond Animal Services also offers low-cost spay and neuter clinics twice per month in partnership with the Oklahoma Humane Society, according to the City of Edmond.
Free Resources for Feral and Unwanted Cats
For residents dealing with free-roaming or unowned cats rather than a pet they can no longer keep, Edmond also has a no-cost option. The Community Cat Coalition of Edmond, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offers free Trap-Neuter-Return services and community spay/neuter assistance for unowned cats within city limits, according to Best Friends Animal Society.
The kittens found in the Lowe's trash can have all found loving homes. Police thanked the employees who found and cared for them, as well as the people who provided tips. Detectives will continue investigating.
