By Steve Guntli
Two kittens that were abandoned near the Peace Arch border crossing on an icy night will soon be looking for a new home.
The two-month-old kittens, named Tesla and Mercedes, have been recuperating at the Whatcom Humane Society in Bellingham since they were saved two weeks ago. Humane Society executive director Laura Clark said the kittens are healing well and should be available for adoption soon.
“They are just constantly purring,” Clark said. “They’re very happy kittens. And we’ve already had a lot of people call who are interested in adopting them.”
According to Blaine Police, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on November 19, U.S. Border Patrol agents spotted a car with two occupants driving to a secluded area near the border and dumping something out of their vehicle. When the agents and Blaine Police officers went to investigate, they found three kittens near the roadside. The temperature that night was below freezing, so the officers attempted to recover the cats as quickly as possible. One kitten was captured quickly and easily; the second scrambled about 30 feet up a tree and needed to be rescued by a North Whatcom Fire and Rescue crew. The third kitten escaped and has yet to be found. Whatcom Humane Society has set up traps in the area, and is asking homeowners near the border to keep an eye out for it.
Tesla and Mercedes were treated for respiratory infections when they arrived at the Humane Society shelter at 2172 Division Street in Bellingham. They have recovered well and should be available for adoption this week.
Police identified and contacted the people who left the kittens by the roadside. While an investigation is still ongoing, Rajeev Majumdar with the Blaine city prosecutor’s office says criminal charges are likely, as leaving the kittens out in cold weather constitutes animal cruelty. The names of the animal’s former owners are being withheld until the investigation is complete.
Clark said Tesla and Mercedes will be listed on the Humane Society’s website once they are healthy enough for adoption. She said the two would need to be adopted together, as they are very close. Check whatcomhumane.org for updates on the kittens’ adoption status.
