Kelly the tabby was the smallest of eight kittens found outside, but she had quite the fighting spirit.
Two litters of kittens were found in a cat colony without their moms. They were brought to a local shelter for a chance at a better life. Jess Thoren, a foster volunteer based in New Jersey, stepped up to help and took all eight into her home.
She noticed that one of the kittens was much smaller than the rest. “I got the kittens when they were only one week old. Kelly (the tiniest tabby) was only 84 grams. She was very weak,” Jess told Love Meow.
The palm-sized tabby had to be tube-fed every two hours as she didn’t have the strength to eat from a bottle. Jess discovered two small wounds on her little body and immediately started treatment. The tiny fighter was brought back from the brink and started to perk up.
The warrior kitty was determined to get bigger and stronger. She was encouraged to eat with help from her foster mom, and she took long naps to help her little body heal.
Kelly’s ginger brother Zack, who was almost twice her size, kept her company after every feeding. He cuddled up to her and even offered himself as her pillow.
After 10 days of round-the-clock care and many sleepless nights, the tabby girl finally hit 150 grams, the size of a one week-old. “That might not seem like the biggest accomplishment since all her siblings are at least 100 grams bigger than her, but I’m so proud of her,” Jess wrote.
The little ball of fur continued to amaze her foster family with her incredible resolve. She became more active each day, and her appetite also improved.
As soon as Kelly was strong enough, she took to her bottle like a champ. She was significantly smaller than her siblings but she tried to match up to the bigger kitties in everything.
Over time, the little tabby healed up nicely. She continued to eat to her heart’s content and would show off her round belly after every meal.
Kelly had a bit of delay in development and took extra time to figure out her coordination. While her siblings were running circles around her, she didn’t mind the commotion and just wanted to join in the mayhem.
“Even though Kelly was small, she tried so hard and wanted to play with the bigger kittens,” Jess shared with Love Meow.
She is thriving in foster care and reaching one milestone after another. Nothing makes her happier than getting some belly rubs and cuddles at the same time.
