A woman from Hawaii has captured hearts online after saving two abandoned and severely ill kittens she found near a roadside on the Big Island.
Natalie Parra, 32, was driving across the island in May 2024 when she spotted movement in the bushes. At first, she nearly drove past it, but instinct made her turn around. That’s when she found two tiny kittens—later named Nacho and Tux—barely clinging to life.
“Their eyes were so infected they were swollen shut. They couldn’t even see,” Parra told Newsweek. “We were already fostering a litter at the time, but I knew these guys wouldn’t survive another day.”
Parra rushed home to grab supplies and returned to pick them up. Neighbors told her the mother cat had left the kittens behind. “It sounds like she was likely too young to be a mom herself,” Parra said.
She shared their story in a TikTok video under the username @natsfurbabies. After bringing them home, Parra called a close friend who is a veterinarian. He examined the kittens and began treatment immediately.
“We were really worried the tuxedo kitten wasn’t going to make it,” Parra said. But today, Tux is thriving. “He took a while to come out of his shell, but now he’s the sweetest and silliest little guy. He’s so gentle with other foster kittens—like he’s trying to comfort them.”
Parra has been rescuing cats and kittens on the island, working to tackle Hawaii’s growing feral cat problem. Her goal is to remove as many as possible from the streets, have them spayed or neutered, and find them loving homes.
“We hope that by sharing these stories, we can inspire others to adopt, foster, or support rescuers like us,” Parra said. “And if you’re visiting Hawaii, consider giving a rescue animal a second chance.”
Feral cats pose serious risks to Hawaii’s native wildlife. According to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, they prey on endangered birds like the Palila and ‘Ua‘u and can spread toxoplasma gondii—a parasite found in cat feces that contaminates water and endangers other animals and humans, particularly pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems.
Cats have contributed to the extinction of at least 33 species globally and remain one of the biggest threats to endangered birds, reptiles, and mammals.
Despite her deep bond with each rescue, Parra knows they need homes of their own. “I’d love to keep them all, but they deserve families who can give them full attention,” she said. “That said, they will always have a place here. If life ever changes for an adopter, we’ll take the cat back—no matter how many years have passed.”
The TikTok video has gained over 24,700 views and 4,700 likes, drawing hundreds of comments from people touched by her compassion.
One user, Robin_null, wrote, “Proof we can make a change one or two at a time!! Thank you for saving and loving them!” Another added, “I’m so proud of you for rescuing these little babies. God bless you.”
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