A man went out for lunch but came back with a kitten in his arms. He couldn’t walk away from the tiny cat who desperately needed help and protection.
Ana Sparkle Cat Rescue
Ryan Mays and his coworker stopped at a Culver’s for lunch a few days ago, never imagining that their short break would end up saving a tiny life. As they walked back to their trucks, Ryan’s coworker noticed a small ball of fur wandering in the busy parking lot. The kitten, only a few weeks old, walked straight towards Ryan as if searching for safety and comfort.
“He pointed out a kitten walking towards us. She came right up to me, looking for someone to protect her,” Ryan recalled. Without hesitation, he scooped her up and called his friend Stephanie from Sparkle Cat Rescue to ask for immediate help.
Sparkle Cat Rescue
The parking lot was crowded with cars and moving traffic, a dangerous place for such a young kitten. Stephanie Grantham, president of Sparkle Cat Rescue, quickly responded. Within minutes, Ryan had handed the kitten—whom they named Anastasia, or Ana for short—into safe and caring hands.
“She’s clean, healthy, and social,” Stephanie shared. “She likely hitched a ride under a car, unless she was abandoned.” Though Ana didn’t like the carrier, she quickly showed her sweet and cuddly side. She climbed into Stephanie’s lap, perched on her shoulders, and pressed her tiny face against her rescuer, almost as if saying thank you.
Ana turned into an instant cuddle bug Sparkle Cat Rescue
From the very start, Ana made it clear that she wanted constant attention and love. Stephanie gave her all the cuddles she craved, making sure the tiny kitten felt safe and secure. Not long after, Cindy, one of the rescue’s dedicated volunteers, stepped in and offered to foster Ana despite already having two foster cats at home.
Sparkle Cat Rescue
At just five weeks old and weighing a little over a pound, Ana was as fluffy as a cloud and full of life. While waiting to meet her foster mom, she perched on Stephanie’s shoulder, watching the world with wide, curious eyes. Though no one came forward to claim her, Ana was finally safe indoors, away from the dangers of the streets.
Sparkle Cat Rescue
After her adventurous day, Ana curled up in her new bed and immediately drifted into a deep nap. Cindy later shared that Ana fell asleep almost instantly after being passed into her care. By the evening, the kitten was refreshed and ready to explore her new surroundings with playful energy and fearless curiosity.
Sparkle Cat Rescue
“She’s tiny but full of spirit,” Cindy said. “After a good meal, she took a long nap and then played with toys as if she were ten times bigger.” Ana explored every corner of her foster home, climbing, pouncing, and showing her adventurous personality. Though she still has a lot of growing to do before adoption, her affectionate and playful nature shines through.
Sparkle Cat Rescue
Ryan, who has long supported Sparkle Cat Rescue, never imagined his lunch break would turn into a rescue mission. Thanks to his quick decision and the rescue team’s support, little Ana now has a bright future filled with love, care, and safety. What began as a chance encounter in a busy parking lot became the beginning of a new, hopeful chapter in her life.
Sparkle Cat Rescue
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