After receiving alerts that the Safe Haven Baby Baby Box had been used at Carmel Fire Station 45, firefighters were surprised to find two cats instead of a baby.
Carmel Fire Dept. officials said alarms sounded at approximately 4 p.m. Dec. 20 on the box that is meant to be used for newborn babies, allowing the mother to legally surrender the child anonymously under the state’s Safe Haven Law.
“Within 60 seconds, firefighters were at the baby box finding a bag with a note taped to it,” CFD posted on its Facebook page.
The pet carrier bag contained two kittens. A note taped to the side of the bag read, “Sorry to do this, but Tessa, the black cat, and Suzanna, the Calico, their owner has died, and I have nowhere to take them. Merry Christmas and thank you. God bless.”
“Although the Safe Haven Baby Box is not designed or intended to take animals, had this been a newborn, it shows how quick and efficient multiple agencies are with handling a Safe Haven Baby Box activation,” CFD posted on Facebook. “The Safe Haven Baby Box is only for newborns.”
CFD officials said they quickly cleaned and disinfected the box in addition to resetting it and running tests on it.
The box was installed at Station 45 last year and is one of 17 in the state.
Both cats were transported to the Humane Society for Hamilton County for care, where they will be put up for adoption.
