Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. (Jun. 20, 2025) – Two kittens who were found zip tied together in a shopping cart are going to make a full recovery. Exactly one month ago, orange tabbies Frodo and Sam were found zip tied together – along with three siblings who didn’t make it – in a shopping cart in a Riverside County PetSmart. They were rushed to Helen Woodward Animal Center with grim prognosis for their survival. Frodo’s rear left leg looked completely mutilated, and the brothers hadn’t eaten in hours. Despite the seemingly bleak outlook for their survival, the Center took them in. Now, a month later, it’s looking like the brothers will live full, healthy lives.
This past Monday, Frodo and Sam – named after the protagonists of the Lord of the Rings trilogy – came in for their four-week checkup and first round of shots. The Center’s staff marveled at just how large the two had grown and how much energy they had. Furthermore, Medical Director Dr. Alexis Siler, was shocked by how well Frodo’s leg was healing.
“After he lost his foot, I thought for sure we would have to amputate Frodo’s entire leg,” Dr. Siler said. “But his wound is healing so well, he might end up getting to keep [his leg].”
Not only are the boys growing and healing remarkably well, they also have continued to have voracious appetites. Their foster volunteer said that Sam isn’t afraid to meow at her until she feeds them. He’s even tried climbing out of their enclosure for second breakfast! While Frodo isn’t as big or as strong as his brother, he’s still just as active. The foster reports he’s capable of walking, starting to climb, and he’s a “champion eater.”
Unfortunately, the investigation into who abused them in the first place has reached a roadblock. Authorities reviewed the security camera footage weren’t able to find anything conclusive.
The Center encourages anyone who encounters animal abuse cases to immediately contact County Animal Services. If you feel the animal’s life is in immediate danger, please call 911.
Frodo and Sam will remain in foster care until they both reach 8 weeks old and weigh two pounds. Once both those conditions are met, they’ll be altered and then made available for adoption!
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About Helen Woodward Animal Center
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a private, non-profit organization where “people help animals and animals help people.” Founded in 1972 in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., the Center provides services for more than 90,000 people and more than 10,000 animals annually through adoptions, educational and therapeutic programs both onsite and throughout the community. Helen Woodward Animal Center is also the creator of the International Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption drive, the International Remember Me Thursday® campaign and The Business of Saving Lives Workshops, teaching the business of saving lives to animal welfare leaders from around the world. For more information, go to: https://animalcenter.org.
