Kittens abandoned near Canadian border rescued in Blaine

Two kittens that were abandoned near the Canadian border in Blaine are looking for a home together with the help of the Whatcom Humane Society.

Two-month-old Tesla and Mercedes were abandoned near the border on D Street Thursday evening, Nov. 19.

U.S. border agents noticed two people stop their car, get out and leave something on the side of the road around 5:30 that night, and went to investigate.

The agents and Blaine police found two kittens and were able to grab them, but not without some effort: While officers were able to catch one of the animals right away, the other ran about 30 feet up a tree.

A North Whatcom Fire crew helped out, going “out on a limb to assist in a rescue” of the kitten, according to the Blaine police blotter.

However, agents were not able to find a third kitten that was abandoned at the same time.

The humane society set a humane trap in the area, and local homeowners were asked to keep an eye out, but as of Friday, Nov. 27, the third kitten had not yet been found.

Tesla and Mercedes had signs of a respiratory infection when they were first brought into the shelter at 2172 Division St. in Bellingham, so they were being treated in isolation just before Thanksgiving.

They were expected to make a full recovery and soon could be put up for adoption at whatcomhumane.org, said Laura Clark, executive director.

The two will need to be adopted together as they have a very close bond, she said.

The people who left the three kittens by the road were contacted by officers and could face charges for dropping the animals and leaving.

City of Blaine prosecutor Rajeev Majumdar said the city takes animal abandonment very seriously.

“We would consider this a type of cruelty to animals,” Majumdar said. “That investigation is currently ongoing, but it is likely that charges will be filed.”

People who are struggling with or can no longer care for an animal can contact the humane society for help, Clark said. The shelter’s number is 360-733-2080 and more information can be found at whatcomhumane.org/surrender-an-animal.

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 12:00 PM with the headline "Kittens abandoned near Canadian border rescued in Blaine."