An animal rescue in Chatham is investigating a cruel animal drop-off this week.
Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) is trying to address what happened on Tuesday, when someone left several two-week-old kittens tied inside a grocery bag at its front door during business hours.
PAWR officials said the kittens were panting, overheated, stressed, but alive.
The animal rescue condemned the despicable act, saying kittens are not disposable items and just because they were not dead doesn't make it okay to deliver them in that manner.
"That does not make this okay. We know what the comments will say. 'At least they weren’t dumped somewhere worse.' That’s not the standard," said PAWR officials. "Animals should not be abandoned anywhere, under any circumstances, like they are disposable."
PAWR said it is currently in the busiest stretch of the year, with no open foster homes for bottle babies. Staff members are also taking multiple kittens home every night, losing sleep, and returning the next day to care for hundreds more animals.
"We can only do so much. Adding more without warning puts real strain on the system, and ultimately, on the animals already in our care. There are always better options than this," PAWR noted.
PAWR officials urge people who are struggling to call them to determine how they can help, adding there are plenty of options available.
"We will work with you whenever we can. Helping with food, offering guidance, or asking you to hold onto the animals for a short period until we can safely make space. We cannot help if we are not even given the chance," they expressed. "Leaving animals tied in a bag at our door is not rescue. It is abandonment, and it is dangerous. Please do better. For them."
In Ontario, those convicted of animal cruelty can face stiff fines, a jail term and/or a lifetime ban on owning animals.
