After I got home from the grocery store late at night, I heard a kitten crying loudly and sharply from a swampy area near the back of our apartment complex. So, I runs inside, dropped my groceries on the floor, grabbed a flashlight and some cat treats before running back outside.
I followed the kitten’s cries until I found him hidden in a large bush. He was small, dirty, and very hungry. And boy did he put up a fight! Then I had to figure out what to do with him.
We already had three adult cats and weren’t looking to add another pet. I promised my boyfriend he’d just be staying a couple of days while I found a rescue or home for him.
We quarantined him in the bathroom to prevent any spread of disease but also socialized with him as much as we could. He was so neglected that he didn’t fight us when we gave him a bath, which showed that he wasn’t just black–he had gray fur too.
Even though it was likely he came from the wild, I still notified local animal control and apartment complex offices in case anyone reported a missing cat matching his description. A few times afterward, I scouted the area for more kittens but never found any.
After a week of unsuccessfully finding him a home, my boyfriend asked if I wanted to keep him. His question took me by surprise, but after talking it out, we decided we couldn’t let him go. A vet check-up later determined he was 6-8 weeks old, 1.9 pounds, and – best of all – FIV and FLV negative.
We’re currently in the process of introducing him to our adult cats, which has resulted in one cat accepting him immediately, another being indifferent, and the youngest disliking him.
We usually closely supervise or separate them when we’re not home/asleep, but he should be big enough to have a full run soon. We named him Beerus after a cat-animated character because it feels like he’s always been here.
Even though it’s only been less than two weeks, this little guy has made such a big impact on our lives and we can’t imagine life without him. I’m so glad I followed my instincts that night to bring him home. Swipe to see some pictures of Beerus from when we first got him until now!
If you’re ever thinking about getting a pet, please consider adopting from a shelter or rescue first! There are so many animals in need of good homes. Beerus is proof that even the smallest and most unlikely ones can make the best pets.