Philadelphia cat café found two kittens abandoned with a handwritten note — the owner’s confession hit the staff hard
Hardship can push people into choices they never imagined making for their pets. PURR Cat Café in Philadelphia, which often hosts cats available for adoption, has dealt with many challenging situations. But when the staff came across two abandoned cats at the café, they were confused at first, until the notes that came along with them broke their hearts. According to Newsweek, the painful story was posted on their Facebook page on January 28, 2026, where it garnered support from many internet users, amassing more than 200 likes.
On the café's Facebook page, they shared the story of finding two cats abandoned in their lobby during working hours. Each cat was left in its own carrier along with some food and toys. However, what caught their attention were the two handwritten notes that were found inside. The heartbreaking notes revealed that the cat owner was homeless and could no longer care for the two cats, who were named Lilith and Sweet Pea. "I can absolutely understand that kind of pain, and I don’t know what I would do if I were faced with that situation myself. But doing it this way created so many problems," the post read.
The post revealed that the cats looked devastated and were struggling. While Lilith did not want to be touched, Sweet Pea seemed unpredictable. The team described the situation as emotionally overwhelming. "This is one of those situations where I feel completely flooded with emotion. I am heartbroken for the owner who clearly loved these cats and was faced with an impossible choice."
A representative said that one person had expressed interest in fostering the cats, but wouldn't be able to take them in until she settled into her new home in mid-February. Urging internet users to come forward and be willing to foster the cats, the post further read, "So I am asking, begging, for someone who might be willing to foster these two girls (together or separately) in a quiet, calm room of their own, where they can decompress, feel safe, and simply be given time."
A 2025 report by Good Dog People noted that abandoning pets can come with severe consequences. In 2025, shelters saw approximately a 34% increase in abandoned cats. "Many develop lasting behavioral problems such as aggression, anxiety, or extreme fearfulness, making them harder to rehome even if rescued," the report mentioned. Though the cats may not understand the situation, being separated from their previous owner likely caused significant distress.
The post attracted many animal lovers who shared their views. @Ashley Woodward remarked, "That's so sad. I'm sure that person loves those cats so much. I hope someone comes forward to foster them." @Robbie Ellis expressed, "That is just heartbreaking. I currently have a cat like that in my home. He's been here since October and is just starting to decompress and fit in with my other cats. We give him his space, and he realizes that he is safe and loved, but it takes patience." @Stefanie Gold wrote, "If I didn't have two of my own, I would in a heartbeat. Please try to keep them together."
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