A little orange kitten was brought in to IndyHumane in Indianapolis, Indiana, for a chance at a better life. He was a bit shy and hissy upon arrival, and tried to hide under any cover he could find.
Jennifer (New Kittens on the Block), a foster volunteer of the rescue, took him in with open arms. She lovingly named him Butterball and set up a comfortable kitty pen for him to settle in, filled with soft things, many cozy beds and an assortment of toys.
With a few head scritches and some good food, Butterball started to warm up to his foster mom.
“He’s even purred for me a few times. He’s super playful and likes his new toys; although, some of them that make noise spook him. He gets nervous and hides at unfamiliar sounds,” Jennifer wrote.
The tabby burrowed himself under a blanket cave alongside his snuggle toy. But with a lot of reassuring from his foster mom, he began to gain confidence.
Soon, he came out of his shell, rolled around on his blankets, and waved his little paws in the air with plenty of sass.
“He didn’t seem socialized with people on arrival (he’s adjusted quickly), I assume he was born outside to a feral mama cat.”
Once he was brave enough to leave his blanket cave, he walked right up to his foster mom for attention and snuggles.
The next day, Butterball’s big personality came out in full swing as he had acclimated to indoor life.
When Jennifer was getting ready to go to work, the tabby boy who had already been fed and loved on, let out a prolonged, whiney scream that seemed to go on forever.
It was then the kitten discovered his tiny roar, and didn’t hesitate to put it to good use.
“He has as many opinions as he has teeth,” Jennifer said. “(He likes) to scream dramatically at his foster mom for no reason, and repeat.”
Butterball enjoys spending time with his people, watching what they are doing even when he is tired. He often dozes off to a nap in the midst of his supervising duties.
If he wants something, he won’t take no for an answer. Making tiny screams is his forte and being extremely persuasive is how he rolls.
Butterball is eating big kitty food, but still craves nursing and kneads on his foster mom’s shirt for comfort.
There are still a few small health issues to clear up. Once he’s healthy, Butterball will have a proper meet-and-greet with the resident cats, Bear and Bodie, who have a soft spot for foster kittens.
He’s already very eager to make some new friends.
Word of the kitten’s remarkable transformation spread like wildfire, capturing the hearts of all who heard the tale. People marveled at the resilience and strength that blossomed from a tender, vulnerable soul. The kitten became a symbol of hope—a testament to the transformative power of love and compassion.
And so, this orphaned kitten, once hidden beneath layers of blankets, now roared with an indomitable spirit. Its journey from fear to love reminded us all of the capacity for resilience that resides within each of us. It touched lives, melted hearts, and served as a poignant reminder that even the tiniest of creatures can teach us profound lessons about the human experience.
