A woman from Hawaii spotted movement in the bushes while driving across the Big Island. She almost ignored it, but something urged her to return. When she got closer, she found two tiny kittens, sick, injured, and left alone.
Natalie Parra, 32, told Newsweek she found the kittens, now named Nacho and Tux, in May 2024. Their eyes were infected and swollen shut, and they could not see.
“At the time, we were already fostering another litter,” Parra said. “But I knew these kittens wouldn’t survive another day, especially so close to the road. I quickly went home to get food and a carrier.”
Neighbors told Parra that the mother cat had abandoned them, likely because she was too young to care for them properly.
Parra shared a video on TikTok (@natsfurbabies) on Tuesday, explaining that she called a veterinarian friend to examine the kittens. They worried the tuxedo kitten, Tux, might not survive.
“They were both fighters and pulled through,” Parra said. “Our friends fell in love with the orange kitten, Nacho, and adopted him. It’s fun to see him now running their household.”
“Tux stayed with us longer and took time to come out of his shell. Now, he’s cuddly and sweet. He’s even comforting other foster kittens. We jokingly call him the best mom.”
Parra rescues cats and kittens on the island to help combat Hawaii’s feral cat problem, which harms local wildlife.
“Our goal is to get as many cats off the streets, spayed or neutered, and into loving homes,” she said. “By sharing their stories, we hope to inspire others to adopt, foster, or support rescuers like us.”
She encourages visitors to Hawaii to consider adopting a cat or dog and give them a safe, loving home.
The Hawaii Invasive Species Council warns that feral cats threaten native wildlife and contaminate the environment with a parasite called toxoplasma gondii, which can harm animals and humans.
Feral cats hunt endangered birds and other animals, contributing to the extinction of at least 33 species. They pose the biggest threat to about 8 percent of critically endangered wildlife.
Parra said, “I’d love to keep all the foster kittens, but they deserve homes where they get full attention. We also need resources to help more cats in need.”
She assures adopters that her home will always be open if they ever need to return their pets.
The TikTok video has over 24,700 views and 4,700 likes.
One user wrote, “Proof we can make a change one or two at a time!! Thank you for saving and loving them!!” Another said, “I rescued one like this who was not expected to live. She is 7 now. You are awesome!”
A third commenter added, “I’m so proud of you for rescuing these little babies. God bless you. Please update on the beautiful babies.”
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