Two of the five kittens a Florida sheriff’s office says were buried in a backyard are recovering and being cared for by a foster family before they can be adopted.
Investigators say Alba Chavez admitted to burying the kittens, some while they were still alive. Two kittens were found dead, two survived, and one has not been found.
The two surviving kittens, just 3 weeks old when they were discovered, are now showing signs of improvement while staying with foster caregiver Jennifer Jagdeo and her family.
Jagdeo said she received a call from the Humane Society on Friday and has been caring for the kittens ever since.
At first, the kittens were struggling to get around and eat on their own.
“They were a little bit sluggish, a little slower. Hadn’t quite completely figured out the whole walking thing and the eating thing. But now it’s a complete turnaround,” Jagdeo said.
Despite their difficult start, she is optimistic about their future.
“I know. It’s not even a hope. I know that they are going to do amazing things over the next couple of weeks with us,” Jagdeo told Hearst sister station WPBF.
The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast has custody of the kittens and says they will need about two more months of care before they are ready for adoption.
Jagdeo said she expects them to continue growing and eventually find loving homes.
“They’re going to continue to grow. They’re going to be big fluffy little kittens and they’re going to find their forever home, and it’s going to be somebody that loves them even more than we do,” she said.
For now, Jagdeo said the kittens have already shown how resilient they are.
“These two are fighters, for sure. And they are meant to be here. They have a purpose, whether it’s, you know, to heal some child’s heart or some family’s heart or bring joy to them. They definitely have a purpose,” she said.
The surviving kittens will remain in foster care until they are ready to be adopted. Those interested in adopting them are asked to visit the website for the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast.
Martin County jail records show Chavez remains in custody on animal cruelty charges and is being held on a $100,000 bond.
