An orphan kitten found a family to help her thrive and blossomed into a rambunctious personality.
A kitten whose eyes were still closed, was brought to a local municipal shelter in Las Vegas, Nevada. Kali, a foster volunteer who specializes in critical cases, stepped up to help.
"I was contacted by the foster coordinator when the kitten was seven days old and wouldn't latch," Kali shared with Love Meow. "She was brought in by Animal Control, alone, with burns on her paws and stomach (most likely from being on the hot ground) and a mild upper respiratory infection."
The kitten whom they named Winnie, perked up after a session of tube-feeding and started to eat from a bottle. "I could tell what a fighter she was. She wanted to eat, and her nose was just stuffy. The first time she latched on, I knew she'd be just fine. She ate a ton and kept eating like a champ."
With good food and a warm place to nestle in, Winnie was healing well and her eyes started to crack open. "The scabs from the burns have all fallen off so she's really making a fast turnaround," Kali wrote.
As soon as the little singleton regained strength, she began demanding attention from her foster mom and refused to be alone.
Winnie was gifted a few faux mommas (plush toys) to keep her company at nap time. She would snuggle up to a cuddle buddy or lie on her back and bench-press her toy as she purred herself to sleep.
"It can be awfully lonely being a single kitten, so I try to love on her as much as I can."
Over the next couple of weeks, the pint-sized kitten blossomed into a rambunctious tabby packed with energy.
"She's a feisty ginger. Everything is a toy and every toy must be attacked. She's talkative as well and will let you know when she wants food (always) and when she wants to be picked up," Kali told Love Meow.
When Winnie started to wean, it was time for her to learn to socialize. Kali knew just the perfect friend to introduce her to.
Turtle, the resident cat, has a soft spot for kittens in need, and has been a great help for every foster that comes through the door.
"Almost every kitten falls in love with Turtle, but with Winnie it's like she thought one of her stuffed animal cats came to life," Kali shared with Love Meow.
"She likes to attack him and then run away. Turtle tries to clean and cuddle her, but at this stage all she wants is to play and play-fight."
"He spends most of his time in the kitten room, and watches from the window seat or cat tree when he needs a break from playing."
Winnie is thrilled to have another cat to roughhouse with. She loves when Turtle wrestles with her, and holds her own despite being much smaller.
Turtle has taken the role of big brother, showing the kitten the ropes and teaching her how to cat.
At about six weeks old, Winnie has flourished into a happy, chonky tabby with a larger-than-life personality. She is learning to play nicely from her feline mentor, and growing to be such a heart-stealer.
"I'm so proud of how well she is doing after having such a rocky start to life."
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