Cat, Kittens In Sealed Plastic Container, Abandoned On Road

BRANFORD, CT — A mother cat and her four kittens were found unconscious in a sealed plastic container on the side of the road, the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter reported Monday.

A volunteer called the shelter late at night over the weekend to report the discovery. Good Samaritans resuscitated the animals and shelter staff took them to Pieper Veterinary.

One kitten died and the mother was thought to be blinded due to a lack of oxygen, Cosgrove Director Laura Burban wrote in a Facebook post.

"But as of today, mom is able ... to see and is doing extraordinarily well," Burban wrote. "As you can imagine, everyone looked terrible, but mommy cat has three sons that are all gaining weight and are active."

They've been named after iconic rock stars.

"We have named this little family Stevie Nicks, Van Halen, Aerosmith and Metallica. These rock stars have been through quite the ordeal and survived," Burban wrote.

The shelter is collecting donations towards their care. Those who wish to donate may do so online by clicking here.

"We will do everything we can to help this little family and keep them safe," Burban wrote. "We want to thank Pieper Memorial Emergency Vet for their love, dedication and care to this mommy cat and her babies and to our volunteer and the rest of the people who jumped in so quickly to help save these lives."

Burban said people who can't keep their pets should reach out for help.

"While we cannot take in every animal — we wish we could help them all — we will provide you with resource guidance to get the animal to safety," she wrote. Call 203-315-4125 or email lburban@branford-ct.gov.