Very early one morning, Sharon, a devoted animal rescuer and longtime member of our team, was sitting at her table with the back door open, enjoying the cool air before the oppressive Mississippi heat moved in.

She noticed a strange noise and thought it might be a bird. But the sound continued and grew louder.

Sharon stepped onto the deck and listened carefully. There it was again. As she started down the steps, she spotted a tiny head poking through the lattice surrounding the deck.

It was a kitten.

All alone and terrified, the tiny kitten disappeared beneath the deck the moment she saw Sharon.

As soon as the local store opened, Sharon bought kitten food and two tiny bowls. By the time she returned, the kitten had moved beneath the house and was peeking through a vent covered with heavy cloth. Sharon placed food and water near the opening.

Before long, a little head began poking through the slit and looking up toward the deck. It was her way of letting Sharon know she was hungry again.

Every day, Sharon brought her fresh food and water.

The kitten had apparently never known the gentle touch of a human and was terribly afraid. Whenever Sharon approached, she quickly disappeared beneath the house.

Still, Sharon kept feeding her. She kept watching. Most importantly, she kept waiting.

Eventually, Sharon, our Hope Animal Sanctuary operations manager, was able to safely trap the kitten and bring her to the sanctuary. 

That is where our animal caregivers worked their magic.

With patience, gentle hands, and plenty of love, the frightened kitten began to understand that she was safe. Slowly, she learned to trust.

She also received a name: Shanny.

Today, Shanny is a friendly, happy kitten, a world away from the terrified little face that once peeked out from beneath Sharon’s house.

What began with a strange cry in the stillness of an early Mississippi morning became the story of one tiny kitten who found exactly the right house and the right people to ask for help.

She just did not know it yet.

Visit our sanctuary page to meet more animals whose lives have been transformed through rescue, safety, and love. Please donate today to help us provide food, veterinary care, shelter, and comfort to Shanny and every animal who depends on us.