Four cats are safe, dry, and settling into brand-new homes after a disturbing discovery in Asbury Park, New Jersey — where the animals were found abandoned inside a mesh play tunnel and left out in the pouring rain. Rescuers described the cats as "discarded outside like trash," but what began as a heartbreaking case of suspected animal cruelty has turned into a story with a happy ending. As the rescued cats begin their new lives, a 33-year-old woman now faces eight criminal charges in connection with the abandonment.
According to Asbury Park police, the cats were left outside in a mesh tunnel on the 1300 block of Summerfield Avenue on Oct. 11, 2026, during periods of heavy rain. By the time they were found, the animals were soaking wet, freezing, and covered in fleas. The Monmouth County SPCA and the Asbury Park Police Department worked together to safely remove the cats and transport them to the shelter for urgent veterinary care.
How Four Cats Ended Up Soaked, Freezing, and Trapped in a Mesh Tunnel
The case began with an unusual call to police. A resident reported a strange mesh tunnel in a yard, and when officers arrived, they found a mesh play tunnel draped over a concrete wall. Inside, four cats cowered in fear, their fluffy coats soaked through after spending hours in the rain, according to reports from The Dodo and People.
The Monmouth County SPCA did not mince words about what they found, writing on social media that the animals had been "discarded outside like trash" and left out in the pouring rain. All four cats were found soaking wet, freezing, and covered in fleas — conditions that, had they gone unnoticed, could have proven fatal for the frightened animals.
"The Asbury Park Police Department and our Animal Control Team were on scene to safely rescue and transport" the cats, the SPCA said, describing how officers gently removed each animal and brought them to the shelter for evaluation. Despite everything they had endured, the cats were described as friendly and affectionate — a detail that made the case all the more heartbreaking to rescuers.
Timeline: From a Suspicious Call to a Rainy Rescue in Asbury Park
The Asbury Park case unfolded over the course of roughly two weeks, from the initial abandonment to the final adoptions. Here is how the timeline developed:
- Oct. 11, 2026: Police say a woman left four cats outside in a mesh tunnel on Summerfield Avenue during periods of heavy rain.
- Mid-October: A caller reports a suspicious mesh tunnel in a residential yard, prompting Asbury Park police to investigate.
- The rescue: Officers and the Monmouth County SPCA find four cats soaked, freezing, and covered in fleas inside the tunnel, and bring them to the shelter for care.
- Oct. 19–21: Asbury Park police announce charges against Breyonna Owens, 33, and confirm the cats have been examined by a vet and will be made available for adoption.
- Late October: All four cats — given an "Addams Family" theme by the shelter — find adoptive homes.
The Charges: Why Leaving Cats in the Rain Is Animal Cruelty
Asbury Park police identified the woman as Breyonna Owens, 33, and charged her with four counts of animal cruelty — specifically failure to provide care — and four counts of abandoning a domesticated animal, for a total of eight charges. A court date has been set for later in October 2026, according to multiple reports.
Under New Jersey law, abandoning a domesticated animal and failing to provide necessary care are both offenses that can carry criminal penalties. Animal welfare advocates say cases like this one highlight a painful but preventable problem: when owners feel they can no longer care for a pet, abandoning the animal is never the answer.
The rescue also underscores the value of an alert community. In this case, the cats were fortunate that a neighbor noticed the suspicious tunnel and called authorities before the situation grew worse. Animal welfare organizations across the state continue to urge anyone who sees an animal in distress to report it immediately.
Meet the "Addams Family" Cats — and Their New Homes
Despite the trauma they experienced, all four cats quickly won over rescuers with their friendly, affectionate personalities. The Monmouth County SPCA leaned into the group's storybook resilience by giving them an "Addams Family" theme, naming them Morticia, Cousin It, Grandmama, and Wednesday. Morticia, an eight-month-old black kitten, was among the first to find a forever home.
After being treated for fleas, examined by a veterinarian, and cleared for adoption, the remaining cats were made available to the public. Within days of the story going viral, all four had been adopted — a swift and satisfying ending to a case that began with such cruelty.
What to Do If You Can No Longer Care for Your Cat
The Asbury Park case is a reminder that pet ownership comes with responsibility — and that there are always better options than abandonment. If you or someone you know can no longer care for a cat, shelters and rescue groups offer surrender programs that keep animals safe while they await new homes.
The Monmouth County SPCA and similar organizations across New Jersey accept owner surrenders and work to match cats and kittens with loving adopters. Reaching out for help is always safer for the animal than leaving them exposed to the elements, and it keeps owners on the right side of the law.
What Happens Next in the Asbury Park Case
Breyonna Owens is scheduled to appear in court later this month to face the animal cruelty and abandonment charges. The outcome will depend on the specifics of the case and any relevant history, but advocates say the charges themselves send an important message about the consequences of abandoning pets.
For the four cats at the center of the story, however, the hardest chapter is behind them. They are now in homes where they are warm, dry, and — for the first time in a long time — safe.
The Bottom Line: What to Know About the Asbury Park Cat Rescue
- Four cats were found abandoned in a mesh play tunnel during heavy rain in Asbury Park, New Jersey, on Oct. 11, 2026.
- Asbury Park police and the Monmouth County SPCA rescued the cats, who were soaking wet, freezing, and covered in fleas.
- Breyonna Owens, 33, faces four counts of animal cruelty and four counts of abandonment.
- All four cats — named Morticia, Cousin It, Grandmama, and Wednesday — have been adopted into new homes.
