Property Managers' Note Helps Rescuers Find Abandoned Cat and Kittens
Guest Contributor
When a team from Point Guard Management arrived at a recently vacated property in Wichita, Kansas, they were expecting to begin renovations. Instead, they found a handwritten note taped to the front door that would change the course of their day—and the lives of a small feline family. The note, left by concerned neighbors, revealed that the previous tenants had abandoned a mother cat and her newborn kittens when they moved out.
Animal abandonment is an unfortunate reality that property managers sometimes encounter, but this case struck a particular chord. According to Patricia Mitnaul, the social media and content creator for Point Guard Management, the team immediately began searching for the cat. Within minutes, the mother cat approached Mitnaul, clearly craving attention and affection after being left behind. Mitnaul described the cat as “so friendly” and shared on Instagram that the feline seemed to be following her every step. She affectionately nicknamed her Sissy.
While Sissy was easy to locate, her kittens were nowhere in sight. Mitnaul provided food and water to the mother cat, but she knew she couldn’t leave without finding the rest of the family. The search soon led to a discovery: the kittens were hiding near a cutout at the bottom of the house that led to the crawl space. Recognizing the need for professional help, Mitnaul contacted the Wichita Animal Action League (WAAL), a local rescue organization experienced in animal recovery efforts.
The rescue of the kittens proved to be a team effort. Members from both WAAL and Point Guard Management joined forces to retrieve the young cats. One kitten was caught in the garage, but the remaining two darted into the crawl space beneath the building. Kirsten, one of Mitnaul’s coworkers, even volunteered to climb into the tight space to reach them, though the kittens initially remained elusive. Ultimately, the team was able to coax the kittens out with food, a tactic that finally brought the entire feline family to safety.
Once rescued, the cats were taken to a veterinarian for a full check-up. The timing proved critical. All four cats—Sissy and her three kittens—were suffering from a severe case of roundworms. According to Mitnaul, the mother cat had become particularly ill and might not have survived without intervention. Fortunately, with prompt medical care, all four animals began to recover. Today, they are safe and receiving continued support at WAAL’s rescue facility.
The story of Sissy and her kittens is both heartbreaking and hopeful. I found this detail striking: despite being abandoned, Sissy displayed immediate trust in her rescuers. Her resilience and affectionate nature underscore the importance of timely intervention and community awareness in cases of animal neglect. The fact that neighbors took the time to leave a note demonstrates how small actions can lead to life-saving outcomes.
As the kittens continue to grow—one of them a bit smaller than the others, but catching up—they are nearing the weight threshold for adoption. Kirsten, who was part of their rescue, has already expressed plans to adopt at least one kitten. The rest of the feline family will be available for adoption through WAAL once they are fully vetted and weaned, offering a fresh start for these animals who began life in such uncertain circumstances.
This story highlights the critical role that property managers, rescue organizations, and everyday citizens can play in animal welfare. It also serves as a reminder that when people move, pets should never be left behind. Abandonment not only puts animals at risk of illness and injury but also places the burden of rescue and rehabilitation on others. Fortunately, in this case, the collaboration between Point Guard Management and WAAL ensured that Sissy and her kittens were given a second chance.
For those interested in giving a forever home to one of these resilient cats, Sissy’s adoption profile is already available. The kittens’ profiles will be added to WAAL’s cat adoption page once they are ready. This little family’s journey from abandonment to safety is a testament to compassion, teamwork, and the power of community involvement in animal rescue.
