Scar the kitten isn’t just wearing an eyepatch for Halloween—this brave little survivor lost his eye to a severe infection before finding a second chance at life with his rescuer, marine biologist Savannah Anas.
Anas, from Arcata, California, discovered Scar in a remote area after hearing about a litter of kittens, including one rumored to be missing an eye. When she arrived, she found the tiny feline with one healthy eye and the other severely infected, leaking pus.
“With the infection so close to his brain, I knew it was likely fatal,” Anas, who has a background in biology and disease research, told ABC News.
At just 8.5 ounces, Scar was dangerously small for surgery—vets warned he had only a 50% chance of survival. But the resilient kitten pulled through, and now, at eight weeks old, he sports a custom eyepatch (engraved with his name) as he heals.
Despite his vision impairment, Scar lives life to the fullest, accompanying Anas on hikes, beach trips, and even freediving excursions. “He follows me everywhere—even into the ocean,” Anas told PEOPLE. “He’s fearless, except for the sound of crashing waves.”
The once-water-averse kitten now purrs during baths, a sign of his deep trust in his rescuer-turned-mom. “He wanted to live, and I needed to help him,” Anas said. “Becoming his mom overnight has been challenging but incredibly rewarding.”
This Halloween, Scar will fully lean into his pirate persona by day—though Anas hints he’ll trade the patch for something spookier after dark.
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