Sydney shopper’s Coles bag shock raises concerns it could happen to anyone
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When you think of a Coles shopping bag, you probably picture it brimming with everyday groceries—maybe a loaf of bread, a carton of milk, or even a cheeky packet of Tim Tams.
But for one Sydney woman, what she found inside was anything but ordinary, leaving her more than a little shocked.
Cindy Easterbrook, a dedicated animal lover and the heart behind Hills Cat Rescue for the past decade, recently had an experience that left her both stunned and concerned.
It all started with a phone call from a woman wanting to surrender two kittens.
Cindy, always putting the welfare of animals first, agreed to take them in. She asked the caller if she had a proper cat carrier, and the woman assured her she did.
But when the woman arrived, Cindy was met not with a sturdy pet carrier, but with a zipped-up reusable Coles shopping bag.
Inside were the two kittens, with no food, no water, and—most worryingly—very little air.
‘They wouldn’t have had any food, any oxygen in there,’ Cindy recounted, still clearly shaken by the incident.
Her first priority was to check on the kittens’ well-being, rather than scold the woman for her poor judgment.
Thankfully, both kittens were in good health, weighing in at a healthy 1.5kg and 2kg, and are now on their way to being desexed and placed in loving homes.
While this story has a happy ending for the kittens, it highlights a much bigger issue facing animal rescue organisations across Australia.
Hills Cat Rescue, like many others, is bursting at the seams, struggling to keep up with the sheer number of cats and kittens needing care.
In fact, the RSPCA received a staggering 26,704 cats and kittens in the 2023-2024 period alone.
Most rescue groups, including Hills Cat Rescue, are run by passionate volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and often their own money to help animals in need.
Every cat and kitten that comes through their doors is desexed, vaccinated, and microchipped before being placed in a new home.
But with so many animals needing help, resources are stretched thin.
There are many reasons why cats and kittens end up in rescue. Sometimes it’s due to changes in their owner’s circumstances—moving house, financial hardship, or health issues.
Other times, it’s simply because of unplanned litters. This is why desexing is so important. Not only does it help control the cat population, but it also leads to healthier, happier pets.
The RSPCA and other organisations run campaigns like Operation Wanted, which offers discounted desexing to encourage more pet owners to do the right thing.
Hills Cat Rescue also ensures every animal is desexed before adoption, helping to break the cycle of unwanted litters.
If you’re an animal lover, there are plenty of ways you can support your local rescue. Fostering is a wonderful option if you have a little extra space and time.
Donations—whether it’s money, food, or supplies—are always appreciated. And, of course, adopting a rescue cat or kitten gives an animal a second chance at a happy life.
If you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, why not visit the upcoming Cat Lovers Expo at Sydney Showground on 23 and 24 August?
It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the cats and kittens looking for homes, chat with experts like American animal welfare advocate Hannah Shaw (aka ‘Kitten Lady’), and get advice from Nine’s resident vet, Dr Katrina Warren.
The expo will also be heading to Melbourne in October and Brisbane in May 2026, so mark your calendars!
Cindy’s story is a reminder that, while most people mean well, not everyone knows the best way to care for animals in need.
If you ever find yourself needing to surrender a pet, please use a proper carrier and make sure they have food, water, and air. And if you see someone struggling, offer a helping hand or point them towards a local rescue group.
Have you ever had a surprising or heartwarming experience with a rescue animal? Or perhaps you’ve volunteered or adopted from a shelter? We’d love to hear your stories and tips in the comments below.
Read more: Astonishing Twist in $600 Vet Bill Dispute Leaves Australian Pet Owners Stunned
But for one Sydney woman, what she found inside was anything but ordinary, leaving her more than a little shocked.
Cindy Easterbrook, a dedicated animal lover and the heart behind Hills Cat Rescue for the past decade, recently had an experience that left her both stunned and concerned.
It all started with a phone call from a woman wanting to surrender two kittens.
Cindy, always putting the welfare of animals first, agreed to take them in. She asked the caller if she had a proper cat carrier, and the woman assured her she did.
A Sydney woman was stunned to find two live kittens inside a zipped Coles shopping bag, raising fears they had been transported without food or air. Credit: Hills Cat Rescue
But when the woman arrived, Cindy was met not with a sturdy pet carrier, but with a zipped-up reusable Coles shopping bag.
Inside were the two kittens, with no food, no water, and—most worryingly—very little air.
‘They wouldn’t have had any food, any oxygen in there,’ Cindy recounted, still clearly shaken by the incident.
Her first priority was to check on the kittens’ well-being, rather than scold the woman for her poor judgment.
Thankfully, both kittens were in good health, weighing in at a healthy 1.5kg and 2kg, and are now on their way to being desexed and placed in loving homes.
While this story has a happy ending for the kittens, it highlights a much bigger issue facing animal rescue organisations across Australia.
Hills Cat Rescue, like many others, is bursting at the seams, struggling to keep up with the sheer number of cats and kittens needing care.
In fact, the RSPCA received a staggering 26,704 cats and kittens in the 2023-2024 period alone.
Most rescue groups, including Hills Cat Rescue, are run by passionate volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, and often their own money to help animals in need.
But with so many animals needing help, resources are stretched thin.
There are many reasons why cats and kittens end up in rescue. Sometimes it’s due to changes in their owner’s circumstances—moving house, financial hardship, or health issues.
Other times, it’s simply because of unplanned litters. This is why desexing is so important. Not only does it help control the cat population, but it also leads to healthier, happier pets.
The RSPCA and other organisations run campaigns like Operation Wanted, which offers discounted desexing to encourage more pet owners to do the right thing.
Hills Cat Rescue also ensures every animal is desexed before adoption, helping to break the cycle of unwanted litters.
Donations—whether it’s money, food, or supplies—are always appreciated. And, of course, adopting a rescue cat or kitten gives an animal a second chance at a happy life.
If you’re thinking about adding a furry friend to your family, why not visit the upcoming Cat Lovers Expo at Sydney Showground on 23 and 24 August?
It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet some of the cats and kittens looking for homes, chat with experts like American animal welfare advocate Hannah Shaw (aka ‘Kitten Lady’), and get advice from Nine’s resident vet, Dr Katrina Warren.
The expo will also be heading to Melbourne in October and Brisbane in May 2026, so mark your calendars!
If you ever find yourself needing to surrender a pet, please use a proper carrier and make sure they have food, water, and air. And if you see someone struggling, offer a helping hand or point them towards a local rescue group.
Read more: Astonishing Twist in $600 Vet Bill Dispute Leaves Australian Pet Owners Stunned
