Malnourished Kitten Is Given A Second Chance At The Right Time And Undergoes Incredible Transformation

This little was once on the brink of death, it's amazing what a cat can overcome.

Elana

• Published in Animal Stories
• August 24, 2021

It's not unheard of for rescue cats to overcome incredible (if not all) odds and defy certain death to show humanity just what the spunky, zesty, incredible spirit of a cat is capable of. While naturally, we look forward to a day that these stories no longer exist to be shared, it's at least comforting to know that when humanity shows it's worst that cats can still come back, especially when the best of humanity intervenes with the most sincere of intentions.

"Best Friends Felines is a cat and kitten rescue organization with foster homes all over Brisbane and south east Queensland," and they're on the front lines of giving cats and kittens in need the second chances they surely deserve. As was the case with a small kitten named Lulu...

Kiki, a volunteer with Best Friends Felines told Lulu's story in an interview with Bored Panda:

“A local vet nurse contacted me about a kitten in need of rescue after being surrendered to her clinic by her owners to be put to sleep. She arrived with all her siblings who were all deceased."

It's almost unfathomable what Lulu had been through before BFF got her.

“Lulu was riddled with fleas, loaded with hookworm, totally emaciated, and mostly bald as the babies were so hungry they ate each other’s fur to try and get some nutrition and sustenance into them”

Lulu's odds were not great.

“Lulu was incredibly emaciated and her odds of surviving were not great as her organs had taken a beating being so starved, not to mention the flea and worm burden."

It was startling to see the poor kitten in the state she was in.

“Then compare it to a photo of her eating at the food bowl showing how gaunt she is, with her spine and every bone protruding quite obviously. Lulu weighed less than 300 grams. She was about half the body weight she should be for her age and in a kitten, that’s massive."

Her foster mom could see instantly that there was more to Lulu than the suffering she had endured.

"Arriving at my home and seeing the tiny and fragile shell the vet nurse lifted out of the carrier just broke my heart as she was so failed by her owners to allow her to get to this state. She was tiny but mighty with such a will to fight to live.”

She was right, too. There was so much more to little Lulu.

“Lulu was one of those kittens that captured your heart instantly, not just because of her condition, but because she has the biggest personality, boldly confident and super outgoing."

Her purrsonality began to burst.

“She was never ashamed to yell for your attention and demand cuddles! She adored everyone she met, from humans to other cats and dogs.”

And another side of Lulu emerged.

“Lulu started to improve as soon as the flea and worm burden was under control.”

A healthy, beautiful Lulu.

“She started to gain weight and her fur started to grow back."

Lulu even got a companion, named Peach, who had lived a similar experience that Lulu had.

"She moved to another of our foster carers who have a single kitten, Peach, who came in much like Lulu in body condition, and the two girls hit it off immediately.”

Lulu's path to recovery was all in the hands of BFF and their dedicated foster volunteer.

“Lulu was in care for many months to recover from her rough start to life, but eventually, she was able to get her vet work done and go up for adoption.”

Her future was bright.

“She captured the heart of Reece (her current owner) and quickly found her forever human.”

Lulu was re-named to Cici and became a full-time purr machine. She's living her best life, despite the odds stacked totally against her in the beginning!

Elana