In the heat of summer in rural Arkansas, two cats were found abandoned and injured.
One cat in particular had an unusual injury that revealed a tragic past…
Keep reading to discover how this cat’s worst nightmare ended like a fairytale kitty thanks to a kind-hearted hero who was determined to see her thrive!
To The Rescue
In the heat of June, two 10-month-old cats were abandoned in a rural area of a trailer park in central Arkansas.
When a local resident saw the cats, they could tell one of them was suffering from an unusual injury.
Knowing this cat needed immediate attention, they called their local Animal Control center for help.
The cats were sent to a rural shelter with limited space and resources, so the shelter staff had no choice but to place the cats in kennels outside.
Knowing these cats needed more than they could offer, the shelter staffposted on Facebook to see if anyone could foster.
Sarah Richardson of Community Cats of Central Arkansas in Sherwood, Arkansas knew she had to do something.
“We were full at the time, so we did wait just a bit to see if anyone else would help. When no one did, we stepped up,” Sarah said.
She sent a transport to retrieve the cats, but had no idea what she was about to witness…
**NOTE** Photo has been modified to hide the graphic nature of injures.
The Truth Revealed
One of the cats, later named Aubrey, was a tragic cruelty case.
Sarah could tell that someone had intentionally made multiple cuts along the body of this poor little kitten.
The wounded kitten was also malnourished, dehydrated, and covered in parasites.
Aubrey was rushed into emergency surgery where the vet treated her injuries and set her up for success on the road to recovery.
This was just the beginning, though…
Aubrey’s physical wounds would heal, but it would be much harder mending her broken heart.
Mending a Broken Heart
Because of the abuse she’d endued, Aubrey was terrified of people.
She was scared of everything and always on edge. Even the slightest noise would startle her.
Not knowing her rescuers were there to help, Aubrey had a hard time letting Sarah give her medicine.
She would duck her head nervously at anyone’s touch.
“She would let you pet her, but on her own terms. Everything was on her terms,” Sarah recalled.
But Sarah had endless patience for sweet Aubrey. She was determined to earn this sweet girl’s trust.
Sarah hoped that by taking baby steps, Aubrey would open up to love and attention.
Like a Kitten Again
Then one day, Sarah discovered the key to Aubrey’s heart: toys!
Aubrey loved toys.
With feather wands, laser pointers, and scratching toys, Sarah was able to tap into Aubrey’s playful side.
Until then, Poor Aubrey had never had a chance to play like a normal kitten.
She’d spent her life on edge, never knowing when danger was around the corner.
Sarah let her indulge in being a kitten, offering her as many toys and treats as she wanted to feel safe and secure.
Having been robbed of enjoying her kitten days by cruel hands, 10-month-old Aubrey was ready to make up for lost time.
“She would play like a little kitten,” Sarah said, “like she missed that phase.”
Despite coming to the rescue as a wounded, nervous cat, Aubrey became active and energetic during play time.
“She was having so much fun! She would just run and roll over, happy to play,” Sarah recalled.
The speed of Aubrey’s recovery, both physical and emotional, was miraculous.
After just one month of recovery, Aubrey was ready to look for a forever home.
Happily Ever After
Sarah knew Aubrey had a strong will to live, but she would have never guessed that Aubrey would be ready to find a home after just one month.
“The good news is that Aubrey did learn to trust humans again,” Sarah said. “She ended up ultimately being a very sweet cat once she warmed up to you.”
It didn’t take long for her to find a forever home either!
Aubrey was quickly adopted by a wonderful, loving family.
She’ll never have to worry about being hurt by someone cruel ever again.
Now, she enjoys long days lounging in bed, snuggling with her family, and playing with toys whenever she wants!
“She’s got a great life. She deserved this all along,” Sarah said.
Thanks to Sarah, Aubrey’s horrific start ended like a fairytale.
Sarah rescues cats from cruelty/neglect cases that often require expensive surgeries and long-term care, though she is entirely self-funded.
If you’d like to donate food or supplies directly to Sarah through her Amazon Wishlist, please click here.
If you’d like to donate medical funds to help Sarah continue her lifesaving missions, please click here to learn how you can help.
Be sure to follow Sarah on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with all her incredible rescue cats!
Kim Groom
Monday 11th of October 2021
I am so glad that Aubrey has found a good family to take care her and will never about being abused ever again. The person that did this to Aubrey should be punished. Someday she will pay for it and think about it and say "maybe I should have abused Aubrey. I am that she can enjoy life since she did not have a very good one before. God bless those people that took her in and is giving her toys and other things she never had in her life.