In the heart of Salt Lake City, there existed a tiny kitten named Mouse. Mouse wasn’t like other kittens; he arrived at the Best Friends Animal Society’s Kitten Nursery with his mom and siblings, all of them feral and wild. But Mouse had something extra, a congenital deformity that affected his front legs. They didn’t develop properly, making him unique in his own way.

Life In Foster Care

The shelter staff recognized Mouse’s special needs and decided to place him in foster care. There, he could receive personalized attention and grow stronger. Now, you might think that feral cats take ages to adjust to life indoors, surrounded by humans and other cats. But not Mouse. He flourished in his foster home, proving that he wasn’t just brave and adventurous; he was also quite content being a house cat!

Mouse had a few quirks. He had an inexplicable fascination with boxes and bags. Maybe he saw them as secret portals to magical places. Who knows? But it was time for Mouse to find his forever family. Fate intervened, as it often does in these heartwarming tales. His foster mom, convinced she knew the perfect couple, introduced Mouse to Curtis and Lana.

Forever Home Calls

Curtis and Lana weren’t actively seeking a kitten. In fact, Lana was allergic! But when they met Mouse, something magical happened. It was love at first sight. They renamed him Outlaw Baby Smalls, affectionately calling him Smalls for short. Despite his congenital condition, Smalls hardly acted like he had a disability. To Curtis and Lana, he was perfect.

Life With Human Parents

Smalls ruled their home with the confidence of a lion on the African plains. He also, followed them everywhere, watched TV with them, and curled up next to Lana’s hip at night. His favorite pastimes included playing with plastic rings from milk bottles, attacking feet from under the dust ruffle, and indulging in salmon treats. When it was naptime, he’d find the sunniest spot on the top stair or claim a cozy chair in the upstairs study.

An Acrobat Cat!

But here’s the best part: Smalls was an acrobat! One morning, Curtis was cooking polenta for breakfast. He turned away briefly, and when he looked back, there was Smalls, perched on the kitchen counter, nose deep in the pot of polenta. Curtis wondered how Smalls managed to get up there with his tiny legs.

What happened next was nothing short of astonishing. Smalls zoomed across the living room, bounced off the couch, and leaped onto the back of a stuffed chair. From there, he hopped onto a dining room chair and finally reached the kitchen counter. Curtis couldn’t believe his eyes. Smalls looked at him as if to say, “There, Dad, that’s how I did it!”

Be Part of A Feline Story

Thanks to the caring staff at Best Friends, Smalls had a bright future ahead—filled with love, toys, and salmon treats.

You see, every kitten deserves a chance at a happily ever after. You also, can be part of their story by supporting the Best Friends Kitten Nursery. Together, we can make sure that every little feline hero finds their forever home.