2 Kittens Dead, 2 Others 'Fighting For Their Lives' After Being Found Zip-Tied Together

SAN DIEGO, CA — Two kittens are "fighting for their lives" after being found zip-tied together at a shopping center in San Diego County.

The orange tabbies, tentatively named Frodo and Sam, were found along with two other kittens tied together beneath a shopping cart, according to Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe. The other two kittens did not survive.

The kittens were found and taken to Helen Woodward Tuesday night. The center's medical staff determined they were less than five days old, still had their umbilical cords attached, and were covered in fleas, according to the nonprofit.

One of the kittens suffered "significant damage" on their rear left leg from the zip tie. Both, however, took to bottle feeding almost immediately.

"That was our biggest concern at first," said Kendall Schulz, the center's adoptions director. "We were worried they hadn't eaten in hours, and wouldn't eat."

The kittens were recovering in foster care.

"Finding fosters qualified to bottle feed is super important, because these little guys need to be fed every two hours," Schulz said. "Fortunately, we have an extensive network of qualified fosters who can drop everything and help out."

To donate to the center, visit animalcenter.org/tinysurvivors.