Woman rescues the struggling runt of the litter, kitten starts to thrive as it befriends her adult cat who was also rescued from the streets: ‘All you have to do is give them a chance.’

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

Jun 16, 2026 8:45 AM EDT

Are you a cat parent?

As a cat mom or daddy, you want to make sure all your kittens get a chance. Yes, even the runt. But that sometimes tends to only be a human cat parent trait… You see, in the wild, it is usually survival of the fittest. So if you are a cat mom trying to survive in the wild, then you aren't really going to give attention to the cat that is going to keep the rest of the litter back. However, cats don't have to be on in the wild. So that means us humans can rescue a runt and give them the best life ever! As TikToker @kaleihz2g says, "sometimes, all you have to do is give them a chance."

And a chance she gave, indeed! She recently rescued the runt of a litter who was struggling. She named her Marie, and she was covered in fleas, starving, and too tired to even play. This woman brought her into her home, and she is now thriving. But it's not just the human who helped this little kitten's glow up happen. This cat mama has a grown boy cat who was also rescued as a struggling kitten.

"Love can change anything!"

via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
Do you think the grown boy cat understands what this little kitten is going through? Coming off the streets, thinking you weren't going to make it, all alone and scared, but not living your best life, full of love and treats! That isn't the case for every cat in the world, so does this boy cat see this struggling kitten and feel a bit of himself there as well? Marie is a little girl growing up to be so strong, but sometimes you need someone who has been in your shoes before to show you that it is survivable and there is a very bright light at the end of the dark tunnel.
via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
I am all about the underdogs, or underkittens in this case! A good animal glow-up story always warms our hearts. Marie was just a tiny little kitten, already starting to give up on life. But with love and care, she has completely changed into a different person. She didn't have to worry about surviving anymore, because her hooman was taking care of that for her. She needed to concentrate on finding her kitten spark, and, boy, did she! Now she's a playful girl and loves living life with her big brother.
via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
"My rescue baby!"

via kaleihz2g
via kaleihz2g
WATCH:

via kaleihz2g