Two young cats were found left on the side of a busy highway in Burlington County.

The cats were found on the side of Interstate 295 in Mount Laurel Township on Monday evening. A passerby called the police after spotting a carrier on the roadway.

“I don’t know if the carrier was just left on the side of the road. I don’t know if it was flung from a moving vehicle,” says Ericka Haines, director of the Burlington County Animal Shelter.

Haines says that the cars are not feral.

“Absolutely, hands down, these were definitely someone’s pets. Just because they are so friendly and so sociable,” she says.

She says that this type of incident is not uncommon.

“It’s heartbreaking. I’m just thankful that they were found and are OK with no physical injuries,” Haines says.

The Burlington County Animal Shelter is an open intake facility, which means one can rehome their pets there, no questions asked. The shelter just asks that pet owners surrendering pets call ahead to set up an appointment instead of leaving the animals outside their door or on the road.

“There’s no shame in it. We have no policy to refuse people, and we will always take in,” Haines says.

Haines says that both cats will be examined, treated and spayed before they will be ready for adoption in a few weeks.

The Mount Laurel Police Department is asking anyone who may have information about the cats to give them a call.