It's hard to resist the sight of a tiny kitten trying to cross the road, and even if you're not a cat lover, you'd likely stop to help a baby animal in need. That's exactly what happened to Robert Brantley of Louisiana. On his way to work, Brantley saw a small white and gray kitten trying to cross the street. As a compassionate person, he stopped his car to rescue the kitten. But as he picked up the little one, he was in for a surprise—out of the nearby grass came several more kittens.
In total, Brantley discovered 13 kittens—12 more than he had anticipated. But judging by his Instagram posts, his family has embraced their new role as cat rescuers with enthusiasm. With kitten season in full swing and shelters already overrun, Brantley’s decision to foster these kittens is a much-needed act of kindness. Many humane societies across the country are operating at full capacity or even beyond it, with my local humane society currently housing almost 150 animals over its limit and urging the community to foster and adopt to help ease the burden.
It's not just humane societies that are struggling—animal rescues everywhere are facing similar challenges. As mating season leads to a surge in puppies and kittens, local shelters are overwhelmed. Many shelters, including my own, are encouraging people who find litters of kittens or puppies to follow Brantley's lead and foster them until they can be adopted.
Brantley's family has taken their new responsibilities seriously. His wife even dressed up the kittens for a photoshoot in her makeshift studio, with one kitten sporting a bow tie while the others waited patiently for their turn. Brantley himself has had fun with the situation, sharing a video where he packs for a marksmanship match, humorously including 13 kittens alongside his toolkit and tripod.
In one of his recent updates, Brantley shared that two of the kittens, Michael Scott and Nala, have been adopted by a family in Alexandria, Louisiana. He also noted that one of the remaining kittens requires daily medication, and the family is keeping up with vet check-ups for all the kittens.
Let’s hope these adorable kittens find their forever homes soon. Brantley’s story serves as a reminder to foster kittens and puppies if you have the means to help. It also underscores the importance of spaying and neutering pets and any strays you may come across.