A mother cat and her five kittens were rushed to an animal shelter. The runt of the litter was barely hanging on to life, getting thinner, weaker, and sicker by the day. Then Hannah Shaw from Kitten Lady rescued the kitten and brought her back from the brink of death. Now this kitten is a healthy, gorgeous feline!
Shaw traveled to the Humane Rescue Alliance in Washington, D.C., to take in and care for the mother and the kittens. She was shocked when she saw the condition of the smallest kitten, named Small Fry. The baby weighed 170 grams and was suffering from an upper respiratory infection that prevented her from nursing. Small Fry would need to be raised by hand and given supplemental medication and care even to have a chance at survival.
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"Small Fry was drastically smaller than her siblings…. She was really thin. I could feel her every rib," Shaw said. But brave little Small Fry was willing to fight to live, even with her diagnosis of an infection, anemia, and heart murmur.
Shaw began around the clock care for Small Fry, tube-feeding her and giving her three different medications and supplements. The kitten was kept hydrated and warm at all times.
"Between all of the medications, supplements, the nursing care and the tube-feeding, she started to feel a little better. Four days into this care I noticed something incredible. She was starting to try to nurse!" Shaw said.
Amazingly, Small Fry began to turn the corner! "This was an absolute game changer. It meant that she was feeling well enough to breathe and want to eat. She was able to get all the great nutrients from her mother's milk," explained Shaw.
Within a week's time, Small Fry had gained weight --- and didn't look like much of a runt anymore! Shaw said, "Throughout all of this, she remained sweet and loving - tiny, but mighty."
Shaw was able to find Small Fry and her bonded sister, Poutine, a home together.
"It isn't easy to say goodbye to a foster kitten, but it's a celebration when you've found them a loving home," Shaw said. "There's nothing more rewarding than giving a tiny kitten a chance at a full life."
Now the two kittens live happy lives with their adoptive parents, and their antics are recounted on their Instagram page. The sisters are now a year old and are as happy as can be.
"This is a great testament to what is possible when we just try to protect those who were the most vulnerable, and we don't give up on them just because they are small or sick," Shaw said. "Small Fry and others like her are worth it!"
We heartily agree! Thanks to dedicated people like Hannah Shaw, Small Fry and other kittens in danger are saved every day and given the chance to live full lives in forever homes. Share this beautiful story with your friends and family on Facebook.
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