On a seemingly ordinary day, a chance encounter on Interstate 75 set in motion a remarkable story of rescue and recovery.
A police officer, during her routine patrol, spotted something unusual on the side of the highway – a tiny, stunned kitten, desperately in need of help.
The officer’s discovery would soon lead to a touching chain of events involving dedicated animal rescuer Andrea Christian who runs Turtle Cat Foster.
Upon receiving the officer’s call and seeing photos of the injured but fluffy kitten, Andrea’s heart immediately went out to the little creature.
The police officer, already smitten with the kitten now named Buttons, had hoped to adopt her herself.
However, fate had other plans when Hurricane Milton struck the region, calling both the officer and her husband away on extended duty.
Understanding the specialized care an injured kitten would require, Andrea stepped forward without hesitation to take the young feline under her wing.
What she found was a doll-like kitten with pleading eyes, whose hunger for affection seemed boundless despite her injuries.
Buttons arrived with multiple wounds on her chin, chest, and paws, along with patches of missing fur due to ringworm.
Yet, what struck Andrea most was the kitten’s remarkable composure during treatment, as if she inherently understood that these humans were there to help.
As days passed and healing began, Buttons’ true personality emerged in full force. Her energy levels skyrocketed, and she revealed herself to be a little escape artist with an irrepressible spirit.
“This girl is always on a mission to get someplace,” Andrea observed, “Most likely the reason she was found on the side of the interstate.”
Even when provided with a spacious playpen filled with toys, Buttons had just one priority – human attention.
The moment Andrea entered the room, the determined kitten would attempt to leap over her pen walls, refusing to take no for an answer when it came to getting cuddles.
Understanding that Buttons needed consistent companionship, Andrea connected with Nadija from Tiny Paws Fosters, who was already caring for two other kittens with ringworm.
The match proved perfect. Upon arriving at her new foster home, Buttons immediately claimed her territory, confidently climbing a cat tree and surveying her new domain.
Her big, adorable eyes remained fixed on Nadija, hanging on every word as her new foster mom spoke to her.
A significant milestone in Buttons’ recovery came with surgery to repair her chin. The procedure left her with a small orange button on her lip.
This was a temporary measure to prevent sutures from sinking into the skin – which ultimately inspired her fitting name. “She’s cute as a button,” her caregivers noted affectionately.
In her new foster environment, Buttons discovered the joy of friendship with her fellow feline patients.
The other cats, Stitch and Tink, seemed to sense her need for extra care and welcomed her with exceptional tenderness.
Together, they formed a healing circle of companionship, supporting each other through their recovery journeys.
Weeks of dedicated care have transformed Buttons completely. The wounds that once marked her tiny body have healed, and her fur has grown back luxuriantly.
With the button removed from her chin, she has blossomed into a vibrant, playful kitten whose spirit remains undiminished by her earlier hardships.
As Nadija lovingly describes her, “She’s the sweetest little lady, so playful, very chatty, and so snuggly.”
Buttons’ journey from a frightened kitten on the highway to a thriving, affectionate young cat shows us the power of compassion and the dedication of animal rescuers.
Through the combined efforts of the police officer who first spotted her, Andrea who provided crucial immediate care, and Nadija who gave her a loving foster home, this little survivor has found her way to happiness, one gentle pat and snuggle at a time.
Buttons is now up for adoption, waiting for the right family to welcome her into a forever home.
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