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College student opened taped box marked ‘Fully cooked, keep frozen’ after spotting a paw poking out — unprepared for the heartbreaking sight inside

The shelter is urging the public to help find those responsible. Anyone with information can contact the SPCA Serving Allegany County.

BY PAHUL NANRA

PUBLISHED 8 HOURS AGO

(L) White Cat's paws are peeking out of the hole in the cardboard box. (R) A woman looking somewhere surprised. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Viktoriya Skorikova, (R) Koron)

A college student on a drive spotted something strange on the side of the road—a taped cardboard box marked "Fully cooked, keep frozen," with what looked like a small paw poking through a hole. When the student stopped and opened the box, they were unprepared for what they saw inside. The heartbreaking find, made on November 2, 2025, has now sparked an animal cruelty investigation and calls for public help in finding whoever is responsible.

An opened cardboard box with scissors and tape kept on the side. Representative Cover Image Source: Pexels | Karolina Grabowska — An opened cardboard box with scissors and tape kept on the side. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Karolina Grabowska)

According to 7 News WKBW, the SPCA Serving Allegany County is caring for eight cats and kittens found inside four taped cardboard boxes that had been left near the Almond Exit off Interstate 86. Each box had distinct food labels, which investigators hope will help identify the person or people who abandoned the animals. The SPCA added in a statement that two of the adult cats appear to be pregnant. The kittens, estimated to be between seven and eleven weeks old, are receiving medical care for upper respiratory infections and conjunctivitis.

Four cute homeless kittens in box. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Natalia Lebedinskaia)

SPCA Executive Director Lynda Pruski and the shelter are also asking the public for help. Anyone with information about who may have left the cats is encouraged to contact the SPCA Serving Allegany County at (585) 593-2200 extension 2. Donations of food, toys, small blankets, or money are also welcome to help with their care.

This is one of many incidents reflecting how widespread pet abandonment has become. In another recent case, a woman from New York made a shocking discovery in October 2025. On her way to work, she noticed a zipped-up canvas tote bag on the sidewalk with “Cats Caution” written on it. Inside, she found four tiny kittens crying for help, likely under two weeks old, without their mother.

Cats inside a box. (Representative Image Source: Unsplash | Mahwish Ahmar)

“They were crying a lot because they probably hadn't eaten in a few hours,” said Meagan Licari, president of PuppyKittyNYC. The woman, a volunteer with the organization, contacted the rescue team, and the kittens were taken in. They received bottle-feeding and care from a foster parent, who tucked them into soft blankets in her bathtub. In just a few weeks, the kittens, named Shoelace, Buckle, Button, and Zipper, began thriving and showing their playful personalities. Licari later shared that the kittens will soon be ready for adoption and recommended they be adopted in pairs to help reduce separation anxiety.

A caged kitten (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Nothing Ahead) — A caged kitten. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Nothing Ahead)

Sadly, there are many more animals like these felines that are abandoned and left to fend for themselves. According to a report by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered shelters and rescues in the year 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year. Of these, 60% were strays, while 29% were surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them due to unexpected challenges. The high number of abandoned pets highlights the ongoing need for responsible pet ownership and support for local shelters.