Kitten found behind Costco trash cans leads very different life after rescue

Kitten found behind Costco trash cans leads very different life after rescue

A kitten was found abandoned behind a trash compactor at a Costco shopping center in freezing temperatures – and was rescued by a kind-hearted cat lover who changed its life

View Image Sadly, there are plenty of abandoned cats in the US that need homes (Image: Mariia Zotova via Getty Images)

A kitten that was heartlessly abandoned next to a trash bin at a Costco shopping center is now living the good life with a loving family.

The shocking discovery was made by a Reddit user who stumbled upon the baby cat while on a grocery run and was appalled that someone could leave the animal in such a state. The user decided to take the kitten home – and has been keeping concerned followers updated on its progress.

The little feline's life has taken a complete turn for the better, as it is now enjoying life with its new family. Reddit user Khaosgl108 was the first to share the news of the rescue, posting pictures of the kitten with the caption: "Rescued this guy behind a Costco hiding behind the trash compactor."

The photos show the adorable kitten with big eyes, looking bewildered after being rescued. However, the confusion didn't last long as the user decided to take the kitten home and care for it.

A subsequent photo shows the kitten appearing much more relaxed, taking a nap on a blanket. The post quickly went viral, garnering over 57,000 upvotes on the forum.

In the caption, the Redditor detailed their decision to bring the kitten home, saying: "After a warm bath, he passed out all night. It has been about 32°F (0°C) out, so it must feel nice to be inside."

They also mentioned in the post, shared on r/cats, that they are still trying to determine the breed of the cat.

They suspect it could be a Maine coon, given its "large paws, pointy ears and very poofy" fur, before joking that they'll discover the truth in just a few months as the kitten gets older.

Fellow users were astounded that someone could abandon the cat without shelter during the harshest part of winter. Additionally, numerous people who viewed the post praised the user for rescuing the kitten and bringing it to safety.

One commented: "Poor little guy. He's really lucky to have met the right human today. Hiding behind a trash compactor must have been terrifying, and you can tell he finally feels safe now; thank you for saving him."

Another person responded: "Thank you so much for saving this beautiful little soul. Your compassion and kindness basically saved his little life, you literally changed his world with love."

A third person quipped: "Best deal at Costco, no membership required." While a fourth chimed in: "This is my dream – Costco and a trash kitty all in one trip."

It comes as new figures have found just how under pressure animal shelters in the US are. According to data from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), around 4.2million animals were adopted from shelters in the past year, but there are still capacity problems across the country.

Based on the data, the number of cats in shelters nationwide remains stubbornly high, with the ASPCA reporting that 2.2million cats were adopted in 2024. However, tragically, some 273,000 cats had to be euthanised, as they simply could not be looked after – or no one would take them.