The Stray Cat Who Chose Me: My Kitten Rescue Story
It all started with a stray cat, a beautiful black and gold tortoiseshell. I began feeding her back in April, just leaving some food out for her. By mid-May, she was a regular visitor, and I noticed she was pregnant. My heart just went out to this expectant mother. I made it my mission to keep her well-fed, which, let me tell you, was a task. Her appetite was huge, and she was eating three to four times a day. She practically lived in our yard, a silent agreement that this was her safe space. She'd be there to greet me in the morning and would come and go throughout the day.
My indoor cat, Adah, eventually got used to her presence, a big step considering her initial reaction was to lunge at the window. The stray, whom I affectionately started thinking of as “Mama Cat” (I even called her “mama”), seemed to settle in, making our yard her home. As June progressed, she started staying even after sunset, a sign of her growing trust. The dynamic was peaceful, and I was happy to provide a safe haven for her and her unborn kitten(s). I had no idea how much our lives were about to change.
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A Surprise in the Night
On the night of July 3rd, the surprise arrived. Mama Cat showed up, but she wasn't alone. She had a tiny kitten with her! I was shocked; I hadn't even realized she had given birth. Based on his tiny size, I estimated he was about four to six weeks old, meaning she must have had him sometime in late May. This was puzzling because she had been a constant fixture in our yard in June, and I never saw a single kitten. Why she chose that particular night to introduce him to me, I'll never know. Maybe she sensed something was wrong, or perhaps she knew she couldn't care for him on her own anymore.
Watching them together was a precious sight. The little guy was adorable, and the way he interacted with his mom melted my heart. It felt like I was a proud grandmother meeting my grand-kitten for the first time. They ate and snuggled for about ten minutes, and then, the unthinkable happened. Mama Cat just ran off, leaving her kitten all alone in our yard. He panicked and scrambled under our broken-down truck in the driveway. I was stunned. I kept waiting for her to come back, but she never did that night. The next morning, she showed up for breakfast as usual, acting as if nothing had happened. I didn't realize at the time that her kitten was still hiding under the truck, silent and scared.
The Fourth of July Rescue Mission
That evening, the Fourth of July fireworks started. The loud booms and cracks sent the tiny kitten into a frenzy. His cries were so loud we could hear them from inside the house. I rushed outside and discovered he was still hiding in the undercarriage of the truck. I spent hours trying to lure him out with food and soft words, but he was terrified. Later that night, his mother reappeared. He must have heard or smelled her because he came out from his hiding spot and ran to her. And what did she do? She ran away from him again. It was heartbreaking to watch. The poor little guy, confused and alone, darted into the woods behind our house.
I thought he was gone for good, but our outdoor camera showed him returning about 30 minutes later, seeking refuge under the truck once more. I left him there for the night, his pitiful cries a constant reminder of his predicament. The next morning, July 5th, he was still crying when his mother arrived for her morning meal. She heard him, but she completely ignored his pleas for attention. I watched on the camera as he came out to her one more time, only for her to look at him for a moment and then dash off. That was the third time I had witnessed her abandon him. I knew then that I couldn't leave him to fend for himself.
Gaining a Scared Kitten's Trust
I decided I had to intervene. I went outside and sat on the ground near the truck, trying to be as non-threatening as possible. It took a good 20 to 30 minutes of patience before he finally jumped out. He hadn't noticed me at first, and my presence startled him. I remained completely still, wanting to show him I wasn't a threat. For the next 20 minutes, it was a slow dance of him inching closer and then retreating in fear.
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| Micah's first official picture; don't worry, he got a nice bath! |
Then, I had an idea. I pulled out my phone and searched on YouTube for “cat sounds for kittens.” I found a video and played it. As soon as the sound of other kittens filled the air, he perked up. He was excited, looking around for his “friends.” He realized the sound was coming from me and cautiously approached. Then, he did the most amazing thing – he rubbed up against me. It was a moment of pure trust. As soon as he made contact, I gently scooped him up in the blanket I had brought and quickly took him inside. Just like that, he was part of our family. We named him Micah.
A New Life for Micah
Of course, my resident cat, Adah, was not thrilled. She hissed at him and at me, clearly betrayed. She has since calmed down and stopped giving me the cold shoulder, but the hissing at Micah continues. I'm working on a slow and steady introduction process because he can't stay in the room with my rabbits and guinea pigs forever, which is his current sanctuary. It's a work in progress, but I'm confident they'll learn to coexist.
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| My resident cat, Adah, giving me the death stare (sorry for the image quality)! |
Micah is thriving in his new environment. He's a lovable, sweet, and incredibly playful kitten. His energy is boundless, and he's already so smart. We have his first vet visit scheduled for next month; rescuing him was unexpected, so we needed a little time to get the funds together. He absolutely adores my rabbit, Ricky, and hilariously tries to play with him as if he were another cat. Ricky, bless his heart, just sits there and takes the kitten's antics in stride.
What Happened to Mama Cat?
You might be wondering what became of Micah's mother. She came around for a few more days after I brought him inside. I even showed him to her through the glass door, so she knew he was safe. But since around July 8th, I haven't seen her. I worry about her and truly hope she is okay. She seemed a bit unwell in the weeks leading up to her disappearance, and my biggest fear is that she got sick and passed away. However, I'm trying to stay optimistic and hope that she simply found a new territory. At the very least, I know her kitten is safe, loved, and living his best life, far from the dangers of the streets. It's funny how things work out; Micah looks so much like Adah, a little cream-colored echo of my first cat.
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| This is Adah sleeping. |
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| This is Micah sleeping. |
Moving Forward with Our New Family Member
Our little Micah is already spoiled rotten. He has a mountain of toys, a cat tree that he loves to conquer, and a custom-built condo made from playpen panels. He gets all the high-quality food, tasty treats, and endless hugs and kisses he could ever want. He has brought so much joy into our home in such a short time. Adah will come around eventually; she really has no choice in the matter. We're a family, and Micah is here to stay.
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| This is when I first built it; it has since evolved and more lively! |
A Second Chance and a New Beginning
Watching a mother cat seemingly abandon her kitten was one of the hardest things I've ever witnessed. There's a part of me that believes she didn't abandon him in a cruel way, but rather entrusted him to me, knowing she couldn't provide the care he needed. She saw our yard as a safe place, and by extension, she must have seen me as a safe person. Whatever her reasons, I'm just grateful I was there to step in and give Micah the life he deserves.
The journey of rescuing a stray kitten is filled with challenges and uncertainties (and it changes your entire routine!), but the rewards are immeasurable. From the fear and desperation of those first few days to the purrs and head boops of a happy, healthy kitten, every moment has been worth it. Micah's story is a testament to the fact that a little bit of compassion can change a life forever. He's no longer a scared, abandoned kitten but a cherished member of our family with a bright future ahead of him.
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