06/16/2025
Two days ago, a woman walked through our doors carrying a small cardboard box. Inside were two tiny kittens. One raised her head and looked around with wide, uncertain eyes. The other⊠didnât move at all.
For a moment, I thought she was already gone.
The woman explained that three feral cats on her property had recently given birth to a total of ten kittens, but these two werenât being cared for by any of the mothers. She had tried her best to help, but knew they needed more than she could give. We talked about spaying and neutering the adults and bringing in the rest of the litter once they were old enough. Then she gently handed over the box, and we rushed the two fragile kittens to our hospital room.
Despite being over a month old, both babies weighed only seven ounces eachâless than half what they should. When I picked them up, it felt like lifting feathers and heartbreak: nothing but skin and bones. The more alert one, Pipsqueak, showed a spark of life and immediately tried to eat. But her sister, Halfpint, was in critical condition. Her tiny body was ice coldâonly 92 degreesâand she was completely unresponsive.
We didnât waste a second. We started emergency protocol, knowing there was a real chance she wouldnât survive the hour. Glucose. Heat. Humidity. Subcutaneous fluids. For what felt like forever, we waited and watched. Slowly, miraculously, Halfpint opened her eyes. She held her temperature. Thenâshe took a bottle.
That night, our incredible SCSCR staff took turns coming in every two hours to feed the kittens. They stayed warm and safe in our incubator, and we cared for them like the precious little fighters they are.
Now, 48 hours later, theyâre still with us. Theyâve gained weight. Theyâre eating on their own. Theyâre playingâclumsy little pounces and gentle nibblesâand theyâre finally acting like kittens.
Theyâre not out of the woods just yet. But theyâre alive. And they have a chance.
If youâd like to help Pipsqueak and Halfpint continue their journey, please consider making a donation toward their care. Your support gives kittens like them a second chanceâand we canât do it without you!
sheridancatrescue.org/donate