Every time 5-year-old Shon visits with his aunt in Philadelphia, he wants to spend his time helping the street cats that live near their home. Thoroughly dedicated to helping these animals, even at his tender young age, Shon takes his responsibilities very seriously --- so seriously, in fact, he dons superhero costumes to help save the day for his four-footed friends.
Shon is Kris Papiernik and Kia Griffin's nephew, and he eagerly follows in their cat-rescuing footsteps. Papiernik, an independent cat rescuer, says, “We’ve been a big part of his life ever since he was born. If he was with us, he was around cats. He follows our lead.”
That lead is an extensive one, as Papernik and Griffin have spent a decade helping care for roughly forty of the city's street cats. They rescue and rehome many cats, while others are too feral and must remain on the streets. For the feral cats, Griffin and Papernik make sure they are fed, spayed, and neutered. Each cat colony has been named by Papernik, including the Kolony Kats, one of Shon's favorite groups to visit.
It was Shon who asked them if he could help with the cats. “We were a little hesitant at first because they’re feral cats, and we thought they’re going to run from a rambunctious 3-year-old,” Papiernik said. But Shon proved them wrong by making fast friends with the cats he met.
“It was the total opposite — they just gravitated to him,” Papiernik said. “He’d scratch their bellies and scratch their heads. It was amazing to see these cats who wouldn’t even allow us to touch them, but immediately took to him. He must have this magical effect that the cats can pick up.”
Papernik recalls the story of Bug, a feral cat that no one could get near. “We couldn’t get Bug neutered or anything because he wouldn’t come to us, and he wouldn’t come near the trap,” said Papiernik. “But when Shon came around and started feeding him, Bug came immediately to him and, ever since then, Bug has been a friendly cat.”
Shon helps scoop out the right amount of food for each cat, and he loves to dress up in various superhero costumes when he visits his cats. “Sometimes he likes to dress up,” Papiernik stated. “He said it makes him feel like a superhero for animals.”
This incredible little boy hates to miss an opportunity to help his four-footed feline friends. “If it’s raining or cold or he can’t go, he gets really upset,” Papiernik explained. “He cries, and it really hurts him hard.”
Both Papiernik and Griffin are incredibly proud of the fantastic impact their nephew has made on the world. We're very impressed too, and we look forward to hearing about the good that Shon will do for more animals in the future! Share this sweet story with your friends and family on Facebook.