A kitten turned a corner just 24 hours after moving from a shelter into a comfy home.
AppleFrankie
Apple, the kitten, had used some of her nine lives when she was brought to a city shelter without a mom or siblings. At just a few weeks old, she was scared and wasn't thriving in the shelter environment.
When rescuers at Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles learned about her plight, they took her under their wing. "She wasn't eating much in her kennel as shelter life can be quite stressful for animals," Frankie, the foster mom, shared with Love Meow.
Apple came to her foster home with wide eyes and a scrawny little body, but little did she know, things were about to get a lot better.
Frankie
"When I got her home, I brushed her out, and she had a lot of flea dirt on her. Although I don't know her exact history, I do know the poor little girl was outside alone for a while. She was understandably nervous at first."
Wrapped in a soft blanket, Apple melted into her foster mom, tucked comfortably in her arms. She was so content, her tiny purr engine rumbling in bliss.
Frankie
Within a day after arrival, she had a proper meal, played with her new toys, and rolled around on her cozy bed. She quickly came out of her shell without the noise from the shelter and the uncertainty of tomorrow.
"She discovered she was in a safe space after just 24 hours as she was eating on her own, had lots of energy, and loved all her new toys."
Frankie
Apple fell asleep with a plush toy by her side to keep her company. She had been alone on the streets, surviving on whatever she could scavenge. Now, she could rest peacefully, knowing she would never go hungry again.
After getting some much-needed shut-eye, Apple woke up with a renewed spirit.
Frankie
"Her personality right now is hyper. She is so happy to have more space and be in a safe environment. She loves running around and playing with her toys."
She is no longer that shy and lost kitty in the shelter and has blossomed into a ball of unbridled playful energy.
Frankie
She romps around, chasing her ball toy like a tiny, fluffy tornado tearing through her playpen. With good food and proper care, she's finally filling out and has gained plenty of strength.
Tired from her escapades, she flops onto her side and purrs herself to sleep.
Frankie
Apple snuck onto her foster mom's bed one morning, jumping and pouncing on blankets and pillows galore, claiming the bed as her own.
She may be small and still has baby-blue eyes, but she easily monopolizes the entire bed with her "I'm-the-queen-of-the-castle" attitude and a "battery" that never seems to run out.
Frankie
With a loving home and a kind human to cater to her needs, Apple is thriving and eating from a dish like a champ.
She smacks her lips and looks at her foster mom as if to show her approval of the food. It's hard to believe that just days ago, Apple was alone outside, scrounging for scraps and safe shelter.
Frankie
This beautiful torbie is growing by leaps and bounds, living each day to the fullest. In a few more weeks, she will be ready to find a forever home where she'll be adored and pampered endlessly.
For now, Apple is busy honing her feline skills and mastering the art of zoomies, one gravity-defying scramble at a time.
Frankie
Share this story with your friends. More on Apple the kitten and Frankie's fosters on Instagram and Best Friends in Los Angeles on Instagram.
Related story: Woman Offers to Help a Shelter Cat, Hours Later Finds Kittens in Her House, It's the Most Rewarding Thing