About three months ago, Leanne, a volunteer with Whiskers-a-GoGo (a cat rescue organization), received a message about a litter of kittens living in a precarious spot.
The kittens had been born in a narrow gap between a chain-link fence and a wooden fence. With the homeowner’s permission, Leanne carefully cut away part of the wooden fence so she could reach in and safely remove the kittens.
All four were tiny, but one was noticeably small. Leanne knew instantly that this little runt would need extra attention.
Knowing the importance of keeping newborn kittens with their mom, Leanne set a humane trap to rescue the mother cat as well. That day, the whole family was brought to safety and into foster care.
No longer wedged between fences, the kittens could now grow up in a safe and loving environment.
Once settled in, the mom sadly rejected the fragile little runt and removed her from the nest. In the wild, mother cats often prioritize the strongest kittens to give the litter its best chance of survival.
“Hamster (the little runt) was an impossibly small calico with a megaphone for a voice and a will to live,” Whiskers-a-GoGo shared.
Against all odds, Hamster refused to give up. At one week old, she weighed only 85 grams—smaller than a typical newborn kitten. When she was offered a bottle, she latched on with fierce determination. Within two days, she gained eight grams.
She was still incredibly small, but it was a hopeful start on her journey to catch up with her siblings.
“She has started to purr and ‘make biscuits’ and has a set of lungs that could wake up the folks in her old neighborhood when she wants to eat,” Leanne shared.
Every feeding was followed by a warm cuddle session, ensuring Hamster never felt alone. Day by day, she grew stronger, more playful, and more curious, and finally began to feel like a real kitten.
As the kittens were weaned, their mom happily retired from motherhood. Hamster was thrilled to be back with her siblings. The once-delicate runt was now brimming with energy and a bold attitude.
“She tackles her siblings like a linebacker. She is also very excited about food. Her face is perpetually dirty because she doesn’t so much eat from her plate but rather occupies it.”
Pipsqueak, who shares a striking resemblance to Hamster, loves to wrestle and is always game for a playful scuffle.
Cupcake, the fluffy black-and-white kitten, is the biggest of the litter and melts into a puddle whenever he’s held. Macaroni, the white kitten with an orange cap, quietly seeks affection like a polite little gentleman.
Hamster, once the tiniest of them all, has now outgrown two of her siblings.
She’s known for her boundless energy, fearless spirit, and voracious appetite. One moment, she’s sweet and cuddly; the next, she’s launching an ambush on her siblings when they least expect it. The little trouble-maker is constantly plotting her next antic.
