A woman who found a frightened kitten near a creek in New York is now sharing the animal’s inspiring rescue story, which has touched the hearts of thousands online.
In August 2024, Sarah Mirsini, 38, and her husband were walking their dogs by a freshwater creek when Sarah noticed something moving among the rocks. It was a small, scared kitten, hiding at the sight of people. “I knew in my heart I couldn’t leave her,” Mirsini told Newsweek.
The couple returned several times throughout the day to try to catch the kitten. At first, they used treats and food, but she was too frightened to come close. On the third morning, they finally managed to rescue her using a cage lined with blankets and food.
The kitten, later named Clover, was taken to a vet, where she was diagnosed with an inner ear infection that caused her head to tilt. Though locals said she had been living near the creek for weeks, Mirsini suspects she was abandoned due to her condition. “My gut tells me her owners dumped her because of the head tilt and didn’t want to deal with the expense,” she said.
Once home, the couple set up a safe space for Clover in their guest room. Because they also have two dogs, the vet advised keeping her separate for a week. To make her feel less alone, Mirsini’s husband slept with her every night. Clover would snuggle up to his beard and fall asleep. “They must have developed a special bond because she still does this every day,” Mirsini said.
Shortly after adopting Clover, the couple brought home another cat named Finn. Mirsini said this was the best decision for Clover, as the two cats became inseparable. Clover now roams freely and always comes when called.
“This is my first cat, and she’s shown me that every living being deserves a second chance and to feel safe,” Mirsini said. “We humans have a lot to learn from animals.”
In May, Mirsini posted a video on TikTok (@sarahmirsini) that documented Clover’s journey from abandoned kitten to beloved pet. The video quickly went viral, gaining over 434,000 views and more than 90,000 likes. One line from the caption read: “I thought I was rescuing her, but really, she was rescuing me.”
Many viewers were moved to tears, with hundreds of comments expressing sorrow for abandoned animals and gratitude that Clover had found a loving home. “So happy for Clover,” one comment read. “But my heart breaks for all the strays that remain homeless.”
Mirsini hopes Clover’s story will inspire others to adopt, foster, or support animal shelters. “These animals are not disposable,” she said. “They deserve kindness, dignity, and respect.”
Related Topics
