Curious contractor tore open a wall of abandoned house after a kitten fell out — what he uncovered eight hours later broke his heart

The contractor began breaking through the wall after a homeowner reported hearing faint meows coming from inside it.

PUBLISHED 3 DAYS AGO

(L) Worker using hammer, home renovation, (R) Little cat head looking out. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Vesnaandjic, (R) Fajrul Islam)

A contractor was busy tearing down an abandoned house when he uncovered something he never expected: a little kitten. He figured there might be more and began looking behind the walls before resuming his task. Eight hours later, he was heading to the nearest animal shelter for help after making a heartbreaking discovery. In a Facebook post, the Animal Care and Control Team in Philadelphia lauded the contractor's good work and asked for the community’s help for a cause.

Construction worker is taking apart the apartment floor using a pneumatic sledgehammer - Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by RealPeopleGroup — Construction worker is taking apart the apartment floor using a pneumatic sledgehammer. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by RealPeopleGroup)

In June 2021, a contractor received a call from a homeowner claiming they heard meowing noises from behind the walls. After finding a stray kitten trapped there, he investigated further and rescued a litter of seven kittens along with nine adult cats. It was painful to see them surviving in a small space between walls, covered in their own filth. The contractor tucked them into two crates and brought them to ACCT Philly. The animal control stated that the felines were saved at the right time, except for one.

Two kittens sitting together in a pet bed. (Representative Image Source: Catherine Falls Commercial)

“Thankfully, he was able to get them out and bring them to us—but it took eight hours to do so. We're so glad that he did, as quite a few aren't in great shape, and sadly, one of the kittens was not able to be saved,” the post informed. The cats were understandably shaken and scared. The shelter staff recognized their need for more socialization to return to their normal state of mind. However, the poor animals would not have survived much longer if not for the contractor. "They owe their lives to the contractor who saved them and brought them to us.”

Young kittens in a cage in an animal shelter. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Mariia Zotova)

While it was an admirable effort by the kind man, the shelter staff explained that the 16 cats were among the 40 or more cats the shelter took in that very day. “We know that more will be [sic] coming through our doors tomorrow and every day,” the post added. They asked for donations to support the felines’ needs and provide sufficient medical help for their well-being. The ACCT Philly team encouraged anyone looking to foster to come forward and help during the difficult period. As of now, the organization has raised nearly $2,000 in donations from kind donors willing to help the shelter animals.

The Facebook post received about a hundred comments from concerned users. “There would be a lot fewer cats needing foster, placement, and/or rescue if every cat were spayed/neutered. TNR is the best way to prevent this. This city cannot adopt or foster its way out of the cat population,” wrote Kimberly Geisse, while Kristy Thompson thanked the rescuer for his kind effort. “Thank you a million times to the contractor that spent eight hours getting these angels together and to safety,” the comment read. Meanwhile, Steven Kovacs praised, "Heroes for saving these cats."