North the kitten was found on a house demolition site along with his siblings. He was the smallest but had the most fight.
@catmum_perth
At just four days old, North had already used several of his nine lives. He and his siblings were rushed to a veterinary clinic in Perth, Australia after they were found outside. His litter mates lost their fight while at the vet, but North clung onto life and refused to give up.
Tara, a veterinary nurse and foster volunteer from Perth Rescue Angels, took him into their care. "By the time he came to me, we weren't sure he was going to make it. He was 97 grams that day," Tara told Love Meow.
She took him home to foster, knowing he had a long road ahead of him. The kitten, who was just the size of a newborn, was malnourished and anemic, but he used the little strength he had to eat and was determined to live.
@catmum_perth
After each feeding, Tara wrapped him up in a purrito and he instantly started purring.
The road to recovery was full of hurdles for the tiny kitty. North developed severe gastrointestinal issues and went on three types of medication over the course of four weeks. He had a hard time growing and gaining weight.
@catmum_perth
"During that time, I found myself at the vet with him on three occasions being told that he should be euthanized," Tara told Love Meow. "But I decided if he'd come this far maybe all he needed was just one more day of fluids, warmth and intensive care."
Whenever Tara thought she was going to lose him, he hung on with all his might and fought through one obstacle after another.
@catmum_perth
"Fostering kittens like this, or any other animal, can be so exhausting. But I remember that North pulled through when his four siblings passed away within hours. He overcame his first days of diarrhea and severe dehydration, then he overcame an eye infection that he got before his little eyes were even ready to open."
After seven weeks of round-the-clock care and back-and-forth vet visits, the little kitty defied the odds and bounced back like a champion.
@catmum_perth
"Somehow he has pulled through the other end - every vet that has met him is amazed by his courage and strength," Tara told Love Meow.
Watch North's rescue journey in this video:
Rescue journey of North the kittenyoutu.be
North has made a full recovery and is healthy, rambunctious despite being just half the size for his age.
What he lacks in size, he makes up for in personality.
@catmum_perth
"We believe his size is due to the poor start he had in life. He isn't delayed at all. In fact, he started to self-wean at five weeks when he was still under 200 grams."
Despite being much smaller than other kittens his age, he is just as playful and mischievous.
North and his foster friend Grayson @catmum_perth
Today, he is 10.5 weeks old, weighting about 530 grams. North may stay tiny forever, but he is larger than life and loves to play and run around just like any other kitten.
Through sheer will, the little kitty pulled through triumphantly.
@catmum_perth
Tara never gave up on North despite being told that she should. She saw the determination in him, and decided to fight alongside the little feline warrior.
North still has a lot of growing to do, but he's well on his way to a great, purr-filled life.
@catmum_perth
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