Kittens saved from trash compactor in Fairview

Four kittens were saved from a trash compactor in Williamson County on Thursday. 

Dubbed the "trash can kitties," the three-week-old kittens are safe and sound after a citizen spotted them at the Fairview Convenience Center.

Thankfully, they were discovered before the compactor's metal gears smashed everything in the container to make more space. 

"There's no way they would have survived," if the kittens hadn't been found in time, said Ondrea Johnson, director of the animal center. "We wish the people that left them in the compactor had just brought them to us."

The kittens, which have been named Latte, Macchiato, Cappuccino and Mocha, were transported to the Williamson County Animal Center and are now being cared for by a foster family. 

"Situations like this not only are upsetting, but are absolutely completely unnecessary and against the law. No animal deserves being cast into a trash compactor," the animal center said in a Facebook post. 

Sam Anderson, the community cat coordinator for the animal center, was there when the kittens were brought in. 

"They were hungry and a little bit crabby, but overall in good health," Anderson said.

How to help the kittens, others like them

It's unclear whether the kittens were strays. Anderson said Fairview has a higher outdoor cat population because of its more rural environment. 

Once the kittens reach eight weeks old, they'll be spayed and neutered before being put up for adoption, Johnson said. 

Johnson said she's unsure if security cameras are installed at the Fairview Convenience Center, but if so, they will send the footage to law enforcement in hopes of identifying who dumped the kittens. 

The situation is especially frustrating because there are signs posted at the trash and recycling center that advertise a free spay and neutering program for cats, Anderson said. 

If you live in Williamson County and have stray cats near you, the animal center will spay and neuter the cats for free. 

"We've processed close to 750 cats to spay and neuter this summer, free of charge, to help the community get a handle on this situation," Johnson said.

Thanks to grant funding, they can take about 250 more cats for the procedure. 

The animal center always needs more foster parents, wet kitten food and clumping cat litter. Those interested in donating their time or supplies can learn more at www.adoptwcac.org.

To learn more about spaying or neutering cats in your neighborhood, email samantha.anderson@williamsoncounty-tn.gov.

Reach Elaina Sauber at esauber@tennessean.com, 615-571-1172 or follow @ElainaSauber on Twitter.