Two abandoned kittens in Spain spark debate on reporting neglect

Two abandoned kittens in a shoebox: rescue, care, and the dilemma of reporting

What do you do when you find two malnourished puppies with crusted eyes inside a shoebox on an empty lot? The answer came from a crying child and a father who, instead of looking away, took action. The two kittens, one black and white and the other tricolor, were in poor condition: dirty, underfed, and with infected eyes. Now they eat, sleep, and have been bathed and treated with chamomile before seeing a veterinarian.

The case, told by those who fostered them, highlights a discussion far beyond two fur balls: animal abandonment in Spain, the real utility of filing a report, and the legal limbo for those who rescue animals in good faith. The story starts with a mundane scene and ends as a treatise on responsibility, bureaucracy, and why many prefer to stay out of trouble.

The rescue: from a cartoon box to antibiotic eye drops

The story begins with a Mortadelo y Filemón (Spanish comic characters) shoebox. Inside were two puppies left abandoned long enough that discovery was a matter of hours. The author's daughter found them by chance; had she not passed by, they likely would have died. The state was expected: dirt, eye crusts, malnutrition. The first step was cleaning their eyes with chamomile and feeding them. The second, calling the vet.

The black and white kitten, named Oreo, was slower; the tricolor, described as tortoiseshell or calico, perked up sooner. Within hours they received antibiotic eye drops and after three days pogre was visible: the tricolor ran around the house and Oreo started fighting his sister like pests. The initial diarrhea resolved by removing milk, a detail noted by many: lactose doesn't sit well with cats.

Does reporting abandonment actually work?

The author was clear from the start: "what for?" This phrase summarizes the skepticism of many participants. Reporting animal abandonment is legally punishable, but practically, it feels like no one will act for two kittens in a lot. Some suggest street cameras, though the author dismisses this: hard to track and few guarantees anyone checks footage.

The counterpoint comes from the legal sphere. It is warned that good-faith rescue isn't penalized, but regulations can twist unexpectedly: those who pick up and care for abandoned animals may face unexpected vaccination, neutering, or transfer procedures. Administrative labyrinth discourages rescue as much as lack of punishment for abandonment. The implicit conclusion is uncomfortable: the system protects abandoners more than rescuers.

From the lot to the vet: the puppies' health

The conversation shifts to feline health with curiosity and prevention. Toxoplasmosis is discussed, a parasite latent in the brain associated with behavior changes and neuropsychiatric risks in predisposed people. The recommendation is clear: don't let the child handle the kittens too much until dewormed and wash hands after contact.

Veterinary advice prevails over folklore: antibiotic drops, professional check-ups, and patience. The anecdote about traseril glands—mistakenly attributed to cats when they are more common in dogs—reminds us that everyone opines online, not always correctly. Oreo's evolution, with one eye still slightly twisted, awaits veterinary review.

Names, adoptions, and the kitten business

The author considers options: offering them to a foreign family with a nice house, creating an NGO called Save the Kitten, or letting his daughter keep them. The joke about breeding cats because salaries don't reach is painfully real. Social media adoption is also mentioned, where puppies find homes relatively easily. Name proposals arise: Mortadelo and Filemón, Mortadela and Filomena.

The conversation intersects with other topics. Someone with a pet python wants them. Another recalls cats don't tolerate milk well. A warning appears that animal abusers often show sadistic traits extending to humans. Cruelty to animals as a red flag is common in criminology, though not developed here.

What the case says about abandonment in Spain

The story of the two kittens is not exceptional. Another case appears: a newborn puppy found in a trash container, at the mercy of compacting trucks. Abandoning in a lot or container isn't just cruelty; it ensures no one finds them. Those who do it know what they're doing. And they sleep soundly.

The bitter conclusion from messages: abandoners have no solution, but rescuers get no reward either. The author sums it up ironically: no one is perfect. Meanwhile, Oreo and his sister continue fighting like pests, unaware of the debate on whether their rescue deserved a report or a medal.