Woman Finds Abandoned Newborn Puppies Inside Zipped Canvas Tote

A few weeks ago, on a busy sidewalk in New York City, a woman heading home from work stumbled upon an abandoned canvas bag that instantly caught her attention. The bag was zipped shut, dirty, and worn, but one thing stood out—scrawled across the side were the words “cats caution.”

Filled with concern, the woman—an active volunteer for PuppyKittyNYC—unfastened the zipper to reveal a heartbreaking sight: four tiny baby kittens, barely two weeks old, all curled together and crying softly. They were so small, each could fit in the palm of her hand.

Without hesitation, the woman contacted Meagan Licari, the president of PuppyKittyNYC. Licari rushed to help the kittens and assess their condition. Fortunately, despite being abandoned, they were in surprisingly good health. They weren’t malnourished, nor did they show signs of illness or parasites.

“They probably had a mom who was taking good care of them,” Licari told The Dodo. Still, the kittens needed immediate around-the-clock care. To ensure their survival, she contacted an experienced foster caregiver capable of bottle-feeding and supporting neonatal kittens.

A New Beginning in a Bathtub Sanctuary

The kittens were brought to the foster’s home, where they found comfort in a temporary nest—a cozy bathtub lined with plush blankets. There, they would receive the love and nourishment needed to thrive in their early days.

Playful Progress: From Sea Legs to Tiny Warriors

Now at four weeks old, the kittens have already undergone a heartwarming transformation. They’ve begun weaning off milk and transitioning to wet food. With full bellies and wagging tails, their energy is soaring.

“They’re starting to really walk around and play,” Licari shared. “It’s like they have sea legs.”

Clumsy and curious, the kittens now spend their days tumbling over each other and learning what it means to be cats. Each one is developing a unique personality—including a particularly talkative kitty named Buckle.

Meet the Kittens: Shoelace, Buckle, Button, and Zipper

To honor their unusual beginnings, the kittens were given fitting names:

Shoelace
Buckle
Button
Zipper — a nod to the canvas tote that held them

Each day, their personalities become more defined. From vocal Buckle to the playful duo of Button and Zipper, the kittens are making their mark, one pawstep at a time.

Looking Ahead: A Future Full of Love

In just a few more weeks, after they’ve received their vaccinations and undergone spay/neuter surgeries, these kittens will be ready for adoption. Meagan Licari expressed hopes that they can be adopted in pairs so they can continue to grow and socialize together. Families with other young cats are also welcome to apply.

After the traumatic experience of being abandoned, these precious lives deserve nothing less than safe, loving forever homes, where they’ll never be left behind again.