Condition of two cats locked in a hot basket stabilises

Two cats found locked in a basket left in the heat have seen their condition stabilise, according to animal welfare organisation Lesė, as reported by LRT.lt.

The organisation initially shared a distressing video on Monday showing a basket with live cats inside brought to their shelter in the Vilnius district. Later that evening, it was reported that two of the animals could not be saved.

On Tuesday morning, Lesė provided an update stating that the condition of two other cats had stabilised overnight. “Finally, some positive news. Two little ones are doing a bit better—they ate a little, drank some water, and their body temperature stabilised around midnight. A cat in critical condition regained consciousness around midnight. We also managed to stabilise dangerously low glucose levels. Around 5 AM, she ate some food from our hands, but by morning her temperature rose again to 40°C. Although her condition has improved, we are still cautiously assessing the outlook. We really hope that from now on, every new update will only bring better news,” the latest statement read.

Earlier, the organisation reported that the basket contained a mother cat and her nearly grown kittens. The cats were tightly sealed inside and left in the heat near a location called “Regitra.” All of them suffered severe shock, were in critical condition, disoriented, overheated, wet, some were convulsing, had soiled themselves, were vomiting, or had diarrhoea. Some had body temperatures as high as 42°C.

Later on Monday, it was reported that the body temperature of all the kittens had dropped from critically high to critically low—around 33°C—and for some, the thermometer could no longer register it.

“Unfortunately, we lost the mother and one of her kittens. Both were in extremely serious condition—they were already in agony, dying in our hands. The mother had bleeding from the rectum. Due to severe brain damage and unbearable pain, the doctors decided to euthanise them to end their suffering. A few kittens stabilised a bit after being warmed and given medication. Some are meowing and purring a lot—probably due to the shock, pain, and fear they experienced. Others are already trying to eat a little,” the organisation stated on Monday evening.

Representatives said that more details about the incident are still being gathered, and a report has been filed with the police regarding the cruel treatment of the animals. Information on fundraising for the animals’ treatment can be found here.