A Near Cat-astrophe

by ANC Staff and Petfinder.com

One morning, staff members of a veterinary clinic in Orlando, FL, were surprised to find a beer cooler outside their door.

When they opened the lid, they discovered a small, frightened kitten, infested with parasites and so thin that every rib was showing. His little nose was bare from trying to push his way out of his prison.

The clinic staff took the kitten in, cared for him, and then called 'A New Beginning Pet Care and Rescue'.

The rescue group posted the kitten's photo and description on Petfinder.com, a searchable database of more than 130,000 homeless pets in about 6,400 shelters in the U.S. and Canada.

Cate and Aaron Rubenstein of Winter Park, FL, saw the posting, contacted 'A New Beginning', and adopted the kitten, whom they named Pekoe.

"He is the sweetest thing," Cate said. "He purrs the second you even look at him and has imprinted on me, seemingly thinking I'm the mama-cat."

"He follows me around all day, just to be near me, and then either plays at my feet or snuggles up close for a nap, purring all the while."

Cate added, "It breaks my heart to think how many other beautiful pets are out there, just waiting."

Other adoptable pets at 'A New Beginning' can be viewed online at http://anewbeginning.petfinder.com.

© 2003 Animal News Center, Inc.