There are many people who picture cats as being independent animals that really don’t need human interaction. Those of us who have had a cat in our lives, however, realize that they are some of the most wonderful animals on the face of the earth. Not only do they crave human interaction, they also seek it out in many cases and will be perfectly happy sitting on your lap, anytime you happen to sit down. It’s no wonder that people love cats so much.
Although we would love for every cat to have a wonderful life and a forever home, that isn’t the reality for many felines. In fact, there are many cats that live on the streets and they have to fend for themselves, doing everything that they have to do to eat and to care for those that are with them. That was the case with this cat, who lived on the streets for the majority of his life. He eventually found a forever home and at that point, he also found a niche. He loved taking care of little kittens.
Runt the tabby was in poor shape when he was rescued as a stray. They took him to the Lake County Animal Shelter in Tavares, Florida. Although he had lived the majority of his life on the streets, he was now ready to be helped.
“He was underweight, had open wounds, and had a bad upper respiratory infection,” Emily Blythe, staff member at the shelter said.
He spent some time at the clinic but was now healthy enough to go to a foster home. Emily decided to take care of him.
“He fit right in with my senior gang of cats. He seemed to blossom overnight.”
Runt was no longer in constant pain and his true personality began to show. He was happy for everything that was coming his way.
Emily realized that she could not part with him after spending a few weeks with him in foster care. She knew that Runt had already found his forever home. “He is FIV+ but that hasn’t slowed him down. The vet estimates him to be around 14 years old. He is the most easy-going cat.”
Emily brought home another foster kitten soon and Runt took right to him.
Orphaned kittens that are brought to the home live life under his wing. He becomes a father to them.
“I brought home a tiny kitten under a pound. I didn’t expect her to make it, but Runt took it upon himself to nurture and clean — almost like a mom — and she pulled through,” Emily said.
Dolly, a tuxedo kitten was brought to the shelter as an orphan. She was put with another rescued kitten, Reece. It wasn’t long after they met Runt that Dolly began to come out of her shell.
Runt was more than happy to become her new parent and he even started grooming her. Before long, Dolly started to calm down and now she loves getting her TLC.
You can see them in this video:
“Now, she runs to him for affection,” Emily said.
“He became a surrogate father to the foster kittens that have come through our house.”
Even though Runt lived on the streets, he is a very affectionate cat and loves helping kittens.
It is almost as if he is giving the same love that he needed to those who need it.
Source: Love Meow