“He was so tiny and dirty … I wasn’t leaving without him.”
Annie Rahe was picking up groceries at her local Walmart last month when she decided to look at the Christmas decorations. Her early Christmas shopping took an unexpected turn as she pushed her cart into the holiday aisle.
A black and white kitten slept between the wooden pallets, his owners nowhere to be found.
Rahe approached a sales associate and inquired as to why the kitten was alone.
Rahe told The Dodo, “He informed me that [the kitten] had been dumped in the Walmart parking lot and kept sneaking into the store and hiding under the pallets.” “I’m not sure how long he was there, but the worker said others had tried to coerce him out.”
Rahe immediately abandoned her cart and went to the pet supplies section to purchase a can of kitten food.
“He was so tiny and filthy — the thought of him being there alone broke my heart,” Rahe explained. “I wasn’t going anywhere without him.”
@wallyfromthemart Worker told me this #kitten was dumped in the #Walmart parking lot. Kitty keeps sneaking into the Garden Center. I couldn't leave it there. #fyp ♬ original sound – Wally's rescuer
The kitten ran over as soon as she placed the can of food on the floor and began scarfing it down. The food kept the kitten distracted long enough for Rahe to grab him. “I was able to gather a box from a dumpster,” Rahe explained. “I also used another flimsy piece of cardboard as the lid until I could return to the pet aisle and get a carrier to secure Wally in.”
“I spent about 45 to 50 minutes just trying to gain his trust because he climbed out of the box and my cart the first time, and I had to catch him a second time,” she added. “It created a chaotic situation.”
Rahe had intended to leave the store with groceries, but she ended up with a kitten and kitten supplies in her car.
Rahe named the kitten Wally and gave him a bath and another meal before he fell asleep happily with a full stomach.
@wallyfromthemart Update on rescued Walmart kitten. #Rescue #Kitten #Walmart #Fyp #kittensoftiktok ♬ original sound – Wally's rescuer
While Wally is small and underweight for his age, he is otherwise healthy and appears to be enjoying his new home and family.
“He’s a happy little guy who purrs as soon as I walk into the room,” Rahe said. “I have to tread carefully around him because he is always right beneath my feet.” He’s having a lot of fun with his new toys, and he’s great at using his box and scratching post!”
When Wally has received all of his vaccinations and treatments, he will be gradually introduced to his cat and dog siblings. Rahe is confident that the playful little kitten will worm his way into their hearts as he did hers.
Rahe hadn’t planned on adopting a kitten on her trip to Walmart, but the best gifts are often free.
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