TAMPA, FL — A frail kitten, the sole survivor of her litter, was given a second chance at life after her mother cat brought her to a feeder for help. Now, a year later, the once-struggling feline has blossomed into a healthy, beloved pet.
A Desperate Plea for Help
Sam, a rescuer with St. Francis Society Animal Rescue, was alerted to a mother cat in a trailer park who had carried her sickly kitten to her feeder. The tiny feline, later named Joon, was in critical condition—her eyes crusted shut, her body weak, and her survival uncertain.
Recognizing the urgency, Kristen Sterner, a foster volunteer specializing in neonatal care, took Joon in. “She was lethargic, dehydrated, and refusing to eat,” Sterner told Love Meow. “I wasn’t sure she’d make it.”
Fighting for Survival
One night, Joon’s condition worsened, and Sterner feared the worst. After stabilizing her blood sugar and providing round-the-clock care—including tube feedings and subcutaneous fluids—the kitten slowly began to recover.
“It was touch and go,” Sterner recalled. “Even the vet team wasn’t sure, but I knew she was still fighting.” By two months old, Joon weighed just 14 ounces but showed remarkable resilience.
A New Beginning
As Joon regained strength, her striking seal-point markings emerged. Meanwhile, rescuers returned to spay her mother and assist other community cats.
Once healthy, Joon thrived in foster care, bonding with other cats and following Sterner everywhere. “She became this joyful, playful little kitten,” Sterner said. “I knew she was going to be okay.”
The Perfect Forever Home
When Joon was ready for adoption, the ideal family welcomed her with open arms. A year later, she’s a vibrant, cuddly companion who adores her humans—and her feline brother, whom she’s inseparable from.
“We’ve watched her blossom into the most playful, curious, and loving cat,” her adopter shared. “She spends her days curled up in my lap, purring.”
Thanks to Sterner’s dedication and Joon’s fighting spirit, the once-fragile kitten now enjoys a life full of love—proof that every rescue story is worth the effort.
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