Maruja Daine Valdez was at her pet supply shop, Tiny Pets, in the Philippines, checking on a roof leak, when she heard something that stopped her in her tracks.
“A sound caught my attention — soft, persistent cries. Kittens,” Valdez told The Dodo.
Valdez went outside and found an abandoned box right by the store with two tiny kittens inside. The pair were huddled together and crying, just waiting for someone to notice them. Immediately, Valdez knew she had to help.
“People nearby warned me they were feral, that they would bite or hiss,” Valdez said. “But as soon as I held them, that idea melted away. They weren’t aggressive — just scared, vulnerable and in desperate need of comfort. No growling, no claws … only trembling little bodies and eyes crusted shut from dried mucus.”
Valdez took the kittens inside the shop and later brought them home with her. Both she and her partner have veterinary experience, so they were more than qualified to care for the kittens. Both kittens were dehydrated and had fleas and parasites, but despite all of that, they were in good spirits.
“They didn’t make a sound during the ride home, just nestled in, calm and still,” Valdez said. “And once we got them settled, they surprised us: They ate so heartily, then curled up and slept deeply, as if their little bodies finally had permission to rest. They let us gently wipe the crust from their faces and didn’t flinch as we gave them their vitamins and dewormer.”
The kittens are currently staying at Valdez’s other shop, Lucky Paws, where there’s a pet boarding facility. They’re getting stronger every day, and all they need now is a loving home.
“We’ll be covering all their needs: vaccines, spay surgeries and everything else — completely free,” Valdez said. “They’ve already shown incredible resilience and trust — we’re just helping them get the fresh start they deserve.”
