This tiny kitten was found all alone and hypothermic, with a jaw injury. Thankfully, his finders refused to turn a blind eye to him and took him to Pasco County Animal Services in Florida.
The kind-hearted shelter staff welcomed the poor soul with open arms and immediately provided him with professional care.
As the kitten healed, he was also being prepared for his future home, and soon he captured the heart of a special person
It all started when two caring volunteers, Emilie Rackovan and Haley from Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue, went to Pasco County Animal Services to help with the influx of animals in need.
While they were tirelessly assisting the exhausted staff, Emilie came across the tabby kitten, whose degloved jaw was nearly healed.
Though he was in poor condition, the kitten showed a resilient spirit and a strong will to survive.
But there was something else that made him truly special – it was his look. Emilie shared in an interview:
“We named him ‘Flabbergast’ because he looked to be in a constant state of shock.”
Little Flabbergast instantly captured Emilie’s heart. When she and Haley were preparing to return home, they couldn’t stop thinking about him. So, it didn’t take long for Emilie to make a final decision. She said:
“I decided to take him back with me. Thankfully, everyone immediately loved him, even though he screamed all the way through airport security.”
Besides Flabbergast, they also took another shelter cat named Socks with them, and soon they all safely arrived home.
As soon as they arrived, little Flabbergast rushed to the food bowl and started eating as fast as he could. Emilie quickly realized he was a huge food lover. She added:
“He has a huge appetite and is always yelling for more food. He is feisty and playful, and watch out for your toes.”
Flabbergast instantly felt at home, taking a good nap after each meal. After just a few days under Emilie’s care, he began to show remarkable improvement. He grew bigger and stronger, and his energy level increased rapidly.
Despite everything he had been through, he was running and playing around like any other kitten. However, he still had one more mission to accomplish – undergoing jaw surgery.
While waiting for the big day, Flabbergast spent his days playing or snuggling with his feline brother, Socks. He truly had a strong fighting spirit and didn’t let anything stop him from living his best life.
When surgery day finally arrived, everyone was a bit worried, especially since he was so young. But once again, Flabbergast exceeded everyone’s expectations and proved them wrong. Emilie shared:
“Our amazing veterinary team immediately got to work fixing his jaw, which was not easy given how small he was.”
Flabbergast handled it like a champ. He behaved as if nothing had happened. Well, that also made his recovery period a bit challenging, as no one could stop him from playing and zooming around the house. Emilie shared:
“Even when he was wearing a cone, he was determined to leap incredible distances that other kittens his age would hesitate to attempt.”
It was very difficult to keep him calm, yet it was also beautiful to see him embracing life with both paws.
Thanks to his rescuers, Flabbergast blossomed into a beautiful feline who no longer looks so shocked. But what matters most is that he is thriving in his foster home, ready to see what the future holds for him.
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