Abandoned Kittens Rescued At Burlington County Recycling Center

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ — Three small kittens apparently used some of their nine lives to survive being abandoned in a recycling container. They were rescued by workers at the Burlington County Recycling Center, county officials announced.

This was after the kittens were put in the backpack and abandoned in a recycling container, according to officials. Somehow, the kittens had survived being dumped into a recycling collection truck and then loaded onto the conveyors at the recycling center.

Recycling workers were first alerted that something might be amiss when they saw a backpack on a conveyor belt at the center operated by the Occupational Training Center that moved and cried, officials said. They found the small kittens in the backpack.

A worker at the facility and the Marshall Family, of Burlington Township, adopted the kittens.

In appreciation, Burlington County officials delivered three gift bags with pet toys and supplies to help the adopters care for their new family members from the county board and the Burlington County Animal Shelter. The Animal Shelter will also provide free spay and neutering for the three rescues.

“The holidays certainly came early for these three lucky kittens,” Burlington County Director Felicia Hopson said. “While abandoning animals like this is unconscionable and those responsible should be prosecuted, our entire Board was relieved to learn the kittens were unharmed and that they now have new homes with loving families. We cannot thank these workers enough. As a small gesture we wanted to give them some additional supplies to help make the holidays even brighter for their new companions.”

She went on to say that abandoning pets is cruel and inexcusable, especially since the Burlington County Animal Shelter accepts surrenders.

“While it’s heartbreaking for any family to have to surrender a pet, our Animal Shelter is a safe haven and will take them in no questions asked,” Hopson said. “Our shelter has taken in more than 1,700 cats and more than 700 dogs this year. They’ve helped reunite more than 300 lost dogs and cats with their owners and facilitated the adoption of more than 960 cats and 316 dogs. Each of those adoptions is another happy ending, which is why we’re so proud to support the shelter’s work.”