# Two cats abandoned in Leusden community cupboard with apology note

> The Dierenbescherming has taken in two unchipped cats left in a community cupboard, and urges owners who cannot cope to call for help.

Society · published 2026-10-29 18:54 · https://nlnow.nl/a/two-cats-abandoned-with-apology-note-in-leusden-sharing-cupboard/

Two cats were found abandoned in a community cupboard (buurtkast) in Leusden, with a handwritten note from their owner. The Dierenbescherming recently took them in at its shelter in Amersfoort.

The anonymous owner wrote that the cats are called Mikasa and Ashoka, are sisters from the same litter, and are not chipped or neutered. "I do not have the means to chip and neuter them," the note says. It ends: "I am sorry I did it this way." The writer hopes the sisters stay together.

The Amersfoort shelter said on social media that it understands people can end up in desperate situations and no longer know how to care for their animals. It said it was grateful the cats were left where they could easily be found, but that abandoning animals has consequences: the shelter has to pay for their care, housing and any medical costs.

The shelter pointed to other solutions for owners who cannot look after a pet. "Please reach out. Talking about the situation sometimes helps," it said. It added that unchipped cats are welcome too, and asked owners to phone first to avoid misunderstandings.

## Background

- **buurtkast**: A buurtkast is a small communal cupboard or container placed in a neighbourhood, where residents leave items for others to take for free, such as food, clothing, books or household goods. Anyone can drop things off or take what they need, with no payment or registration. It is a common way for people in Dutch neighbourhoods to share and reuse things locally.
- **Dierenbescherming**: The Dierenbescherming is the Dutch animal welfare organisation, a charity that works to protect animals and improve their treatment in the Netherlands. It runs animal shelters where it takes in animals that have been abandoned, lost, mistreated or surrendered by their owners, and then finds them new homes. It also campaigns and advises on animal welfare issues.

From NLnow, news from the Netherlands in English. How stories are made: https://nlnow.nl/about/