When Kristi Idnurm turned up for work at Kristi’s Kats, Inc. on Sunday morning, she got the surprise of her life.
Waiting for her in her letterbox was three torn sheets of paper, and they contained one of the most heartbreaking notes Kirsti had ever read.
Upon finishing the note, she quickly ran round to the back of her store- where she found a crate of 22 cats and kittens waiting for her.
“It was quite the surprise to realize that there were cats left outside the store,” Kristi told The Dodo.
Kirsti owns a cat rescue center, so she’s used to looking after cats that people no longer want. But this person’s story was entirely different.
The anonymous note explained that the cats’ former owner had done their own share of rescuing – but heartbreaking circumstances had left them with little choice but to give up the cats.
“To someone I hope will help and try to be understanding,” the note read. “I have been rescuing cats for as long as I can remember, however this year has completely broke me. Out back is all the babies I can’t find homes for and I have run out of time. I couldn’t just let them go on the street.”
“Please understand and read this before you judge… I had a full heat basement and garage dedicated to my kitties, only we had a fire. It burned more than half the house.” The anonymous person went on to explain that their family home didn’t have insurance.
Over time, the poor person’s circumstances just got worse and worse.
By February 2019, not only were they looking after their son who had broken his back in a car accident, but they were also looking after their sick aunt who had been diagnosed with stage 4 liver cancer.
All that on top of 22 cats and kittens to care for would be a lot for anyone to handle!
Heartbreakingly, the note writer’s aunt passed away soon after, and as they saved up to pay for the funeral, they found out they were getting evicted from their home.
“I am being evicted, I found homes for those I knew would be harder to adapt or wouldn’t do well without one of the other animals. Please know some of these babies have been in my life for 4 years, though most are under a year old. Enclosed is some things (information) about them.”
“I have lost everything. I’ve spent the last two weeks working to make sure that as many (cats) will be okay. They are my life and my world, and I wish I could take them but I move to go to a family house and it just can’t happen.”
Along with the cats and all their belongings, the person had left $30 – clearly the last bit of cash that he or she had.
It’s absolutely heartbreaking to think about what this poor person has had to go through.
With suddenly 22 extra cats on her hands, it was a stressful morning as Kirsti attempted to arrange for them to all be looked after. Thankfully, many different foster carers stepped in to help, along with some other rescue centers.
“My volunteers came in force to wash carriers, fill litter boxes, make lists and answer questions,” Kristi said. “It was a group effort on making sure they were safe.”
Wherever the note-writer is right now, we hope they know that their beloved kitties are all safe! It’s truly a situation that we wouldn’t wish on anybody.
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