On a chilly afternoon in Albany, New York, a passerby noticed something unusual near a garbage can — a pair of eyes peeking out from the shadows.
Curious and concerned, the Good Samaritan stepped closer and made a shocking discovery.
Inside a zipped-up duffel bag, discarded like trash, was a small brown and black tabby cat, terrified but alive.
The bystander quickly called animal control, and the cat was safely transported to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, where she was gently unzipped and freed.
That’s when intake coordinator Kara Murry met the cat for the first time — and was taken aback by her sweetness despite the ordeal.
“I remember saying, ‘How could anyone throw you in the trash? You’re so sweet and cuddly!’” Murry recalled. “She was purring and rubbing against us for pets, almost like she was saying, ‘Thank you for saving me.’”
The staff named her Newt, and after a full exam, food, and some much-needed comfort, her true personality continued to shine through. Newt wasn’t just friendly — she was affectionate, playful, and eager for love.
“She came right up to me for pets and love the first time I met her,” said veterinary assistant Heather Ellis. “[She] loved cuddles and playing with pipe cleaners.”
Within days, Newt’s life changed again — this time for the better. Less than a week after arriving at the shelter, she met a man searching for a new furry companion. The connection was instant. Newt had found her forever home.
Now safe and loved, Newt never has to worry about being discarded again.
“As they say, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” said Marguerite Pearson, the shelter’s marketing and communications director. “And this sweet girl is truly a treasure for her new dad.”
To support more rescues like Newt’s, consider donating to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society.
