When Emilie Rackovan, founder of Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue, saw a photo of a small, oil-covered kitten taken in by local animal control, her heart sank. The kitten looked utterly defeated, and Emilie knew she had to help.
“The amazing staff at MADACC were doing everything they could, but he was struggling to cope in the shelter,” Emilie said.
Without hesitation, she reached out and offered to take him in.
Covered in an oily substance and missing patches of fur, the frail kitten required several baths before he began to feel like himself again. At just 2.5 pounds, vets estimated his age between six and nine months, though he was no bigger than a three-month-old kitten. They named him Stuart Little.
Placed in foster care with Haley, Stuart quickly began to show signs of hope. He purred nonstop and devoured his food, soaking in the calm and comfort of a home environment. The sadness that once clouded his tiny face slowly began to lift.
With each day, Stuart grew stronger and more confident. He explored his new space with wide-eyed curiosity, fell in love with cozy blankets, and claimed every soft spot for naps. Volunteer Kayla soon joined to help care for him, giving him access to a bigger room, more toys, and lots of affection.
Gone was the timid kitten from the shelter—Stuart now plays, pounces, and stands on his hind legs to chase his toys, his playful personality shining through. His greasy fur has been replaced by a fluffy coat, and his eyes now sparkle with mischief and joy.
Like his namesake, this little adventurer may be small, but his spirit is big. With a team of loving foster parents and a safe, happy home, Stuart Little’s future is brighter than ever.
“We’re so grateful to MADACC for giving him a chance—and to the foster families who said yes to a kitten who just needed love,” Emilie said.
Stuart Little will never feel alone again—and he’ll never run out of chin scratches or adventures.
