Heard crying and was found “shoved” underneath a bench

*PLEASE NOTE: Marlee has been adopted*

A two-year-old cat is lucky to be alive after being abandoned at an MBTA bus stop in Sullivan Square on Monday, when temperatures in Boston were in the single digits, and below zero with the wind chill. The Animal Rescue League of Boston’s (ARL) Law Enforcement Department is asking for the public’s help in finding who’s responsible.

At around 5 p.m. Monday, an unidentified female Good Samaritan heard crying and discovered the cat huddled in a carrier. Along with the frigid temperatures, the carrier the cat was in was reportedly soaked due to melting snow, making for extremely uncomfortable and dangerous conditions for the animal.

The woman described the carrier as being “shoved” under the bench, and the carrier also contained a blanket, toys, and perhaps some food.

Marlee was abandoned in frigid conditions at the Sullivan Square MBTA station this past Monday.

She was wearing this collar, but had no identification tags or microchip.

She was found crying under a bench in this crate.

She had toys and there were also specks of food inside.

Marlee settling into her new surroundings at ARL.

The woman took the cat, named “Marlee”, with her to a local shelter where she is staying, and contacted ARL on Wednesday. ARL picked up Marlee and brought her to ARL’s Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, located at 10 Chandler St.

Marlee was wearing a collar but does not have a microchip, and does not match any missing animal reports. Despite her ordeal she does appear to be healthy and is very friendly.

The animal has yet to undergo a physical examination by ARL’s veterinary staff, but did not suffer from hypothermia and will likely be available for adoption in the next couple of weeks.

Because ARL continuously sees cases of animals being left to fend for themselves, the organization once again reminds the public that abandoning an animal is NEVER an option – if you are unable to properly care for an animal, they can always be surrendered to ARL or any reputable rescue organization. Abandoning an animal is a felony in Massachusetts, punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Consider making a gift today. By giving to ARL, you’re providing life-saving rescue and law enforcement investigations, as well as the veterinary care that gets animals like Marlee back on their feet and ready for adoption to a safe, warm home after facing difficult ordeals. Click here to make a donation today.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact ARL Law Enforcement at (617) 426-9170 or email cruelty@arlboston.org.