Eight kittens were found in a locked cage on an Austin, Texas, sidewalk
The Austin Police Department transported the animals to the Austin Animal Center for treatment
The APD Animal Cruelty Unit is investigating and seeking public tips
Eight kittens are safe after officers found the cats abandoned in freezing temperatures along a sidewalk in Austin, Texas.
The Austin Police Department (APD) shared on social media in late January that officers received a call about kittens found in a cage on Great Northern Boulevard. APD Sergeant Ben Mewis responded to the scene and found «eight kittens freezing in a cage along a sidewalk with no shelter, food, or water,» according to the department.
Police noted that the kittens were transported to Austin Animal Center for treatment.
“They were saved from the freezing weather,” the department wrote.
PEOPLE reached out to the Austin Animal Center for further updates on the kittens’ health.
Authorities did not provide details about the kittens’ ages or condition, but emphasized that the situation could have turned tragic given the cold temperatures.
“We want to remind the public that it is never ok to leave animals outside in freezing weather with no shelter, food, or water, especially babies,” the Austin Police Department stated in the post.
The department is now asking for the public’s help as its Animal Cruelty Unit investigates the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call the APD Animal Cruelty Unit at 512-974-6907.
The post concluded with a note of gratitude for the responding officers: «Thank you to the Baker 300s shift for responding and saving these babies!»
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Austin Animal Center, the city’s municipal shelter, regularly works with law enforcement in cases involving abandoned or endangered animals. Officials have not said whether any suspects have been identified.