Last Sunday, newly engaged couple Alyssa Weber and Josh Stott, were welcoming a beautiful new morning together when they heard a strange noise. Until loud cries pierced the serene morning. They were at Josh’s parents home enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by 5 acres of pastures. The family loves to relax on the scenic front porch. Squirrels scamper, chickens cluck and birds chirp in harmony with the rising sun.
But one bird letting out very odd and loud cries caught Alyssa’s attention.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber (& JessiCAT’s new favorite picture)
Mid-sentence, she stopped speaking when she realized it sounded more like a kitten’s tiny mews. She stared towards the direction from which the sound had come. Once again, the high pitched tone rang through the countryside.
Alyssa jumped up and said to Josh, “I think that’s a distressed kitten”.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Now Alyssa and Josh aren’t just ANY crazy cat loving couple. She’s a Master Keeper volunteer at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida and Josh worked maintenance at the sanctuary. So their life has been filled with felines of all sizes, including a wide range of “catty” vocalizations.
She made her way to the sound, reaching the fence line of the property… almost an acre away! Just over 200 feet, that meant whatever was making the noise had some “pipes” on it!There was a small, aluminum shed on the neighbors property where they found the cry originating.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Alyssa was 100% sure now that it was coming from a kitten.
Josh’s younger sister, Emma, told Alyssa that she’d heard that same “bird noise” the night before, around 4 or 5 pm.
This meant that the kitten had been letting out the piercing plea for help for about 15 hours!
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
They knew it was surely abandoned and likely starving, possibly injured.
Being respectful, they didn’t just jump the fence and break into the shed to investigate. They rushed to Josh’s parents to see if they had a relationship with the neighbor, but unfortunately they did not. To make matters worse, Emma warned them that the man living there had a large guard dog…that did its job very well!
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Alyssa knew it was only a matter of time before the dog was let out and would find the kitten first. She was fighting back tears and the feeling of helplessness.
It was decided Mr. Stott would drive them over to the house.
He works for the sheriffs department and had met the man once before in passing. Upon arriving, they were greeted by a very big barking dog.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
They explained the reason for the unscheduled visit and realized the crying kitten had gone silent. Asking if they could go back to the shed to check out the situation, the man surprised them.
Without missing a beat, he said, “I’ll go take a quick look, you guys just stay here.”
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
They weren’t sure if it was Mr. Stott’s law enforcement relationship making him nervous or not. The man came back out way too quickly, saying he didn’t see anything.
All they could say was, “Thank you for checking”.
They exchanged phone numbers for neighborly emergencies.
Mr. Stott knew Alyssa was absolutely distraught over the thought of the kitten in peril. Looking at her as they pulled out of the driveway he asked, “What’s your gut telling you”?
“It’s there”, she promptly responded, fighting the compulsion to trespass to confirm her instincts.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Walking back into their house, Alyssa stopped to pick up her things she’d left on the porch in her hurried pursuit.
And she heard the kitten’s loud cries again!!!
She ran and got Mr. Stott, who went over to the fence himself this time.
Alyssa stayed on the porch knowing she was going to burst into tears of frustration and nerves if she accompanied him. Or worse, run into the shed herself and find who knows what! Mr. Stott quickly called the neighbor to let him know. This time the neighbor came out while the crying could be heard.
The man appeared from out of the shed with a tiny kitten in his hands only moments after entering.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
They were very pleased with the next exchange of words.
“Well, looks like we found her!” he said.
Mr. Stott was quick to offer help. “Would you mind if we cared for her? We have a cat person here.”
“Yeah, of course”, he agreed.
Alyssa stretched out her hands for the little neonate and held it close against her rapidly beating heart.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber ~ 1st photo of the rescued baby kitten
It was a little girl, only about 3 weeks old.
She was cold and needed warmth immediately. Kittens that young still need help regulating their body temperature.
Hannah, another of Josh’s sisters, helped her find a basket. They lined it with towels and a stuffed animal.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Alyssa wrapped the kitten in a blanket and used her breath to try to warm her up. Emma went to go milk one of the goats and brought it to Alyssa with a syringe.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
She tried syringe feeding the hungry, shaking, scared, screaming kitten with very little success.
They went out to get KMR, Kitten Milk Replacement, and a bottle. The neonate hardly ate that day, but over the next few days, got more used to the bottle.
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
The weak baby girl calmed down and finally slept peacefully, warm and silent!
“She was so, so hungry but didn’t understand the bottle. It’s hard to get a kitten to stop squirming when they’re THAT hungry and just want their mom and litter mates.”
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Once Emma saw her, she knew she was one of the kittens from a stray litter they’d just recently discovered living under their barn.
They were working on TNR’ing them, but this girl with the loud cries was no where near the rest.
She was the same coloring and about the same size, but the mama had abandoned her for some reason.
Alyssa and Josh decided that the neonate would remain with them for a few days until she could be accepted into foster care.
She could go to work with them if their schedule allowed. If not, Alyssa’s roommate Stephanie was happy to step in for the darling little girl. She just completed her internship at Big Cat Rescue so was also well versed in kitten-speak.
“Steph took a whole day off of work to go take care of Birdie when Josh and I couldn’t take her. AND Steph got her to accept the bottle more willingly! So she was a HUGE help!”
Photos Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
On Facebook, Alyssa treated friends to a slew of photos and videos of the utterly adorable little girl.
“She’s a little explorer. But she’s also sooo clingy. I’d be clingy too though if I had been abandoned. She kneads on everything and has the cry of a pterodactyl.”
“She’s very ticklish but still loves her belly being rubbed.”
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
“She doesn’t stop purring.. EVER, and has ittty bitty teefs and sharp claws! …And the bluest eyes…There’s something about her that tells me she’s going to be a great cat.”
https://www.facebook.com/Alyssa.Weber/videos/10156774151912140/
After much debating and internal struggles, they named her “Birdie” for her unique little voice.
The loud cries that saved her life were then used to thank them both repeatedly!
“She’s the sweetest little babe. She plays with her feet and purrs, but her cries will make your ears ring!! My mind is blown at how much like a bird she sounded this morning.”
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
On Wednesday, they took Birdie to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay who partner with Big Cat Rescue in their kitten fostering and adoptions.
Once she reaches a weight of 1 pound, she’ll be able to visit with the other kittens in the BCR’s Kitten Cabana. She’s still got just a few ounces to and is currently weighing in at a whopping 9 oz. Meaning they’ll happily be able to see Birdie still!
Birdie is quickly winning the hearts of the foster team and some new feline companions.
Alyssa is so grateful for her friends and new family. They all stood by her side, pulling together to save one tiny, lost soul.
“It was exciting, and scary, and sad and happy and relieving all in one. It’s gut wrenching to think about what would have happened if I didn’t hear that “one tone” in her loud cries.”
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
Be sure to follow Big Cat Rescue’s Kitten Cabana online to get a peek at the gorgeous baby Birdie. You may even hear her little cries of gratitude!
Her new foster brother Toodles is learning she can give back anything he can dish out! <3
Photos Courtesy of Alyssa Weber & Tanya Heidi Chute
REMEMBER: ADOPT, DON’T SHOP; FOSTERING SAVES LIVES & SPAY AND NEUTER!
Photo Courtesy of Alyssa Weber
This was an amazing story and really tugged at my heartstrings! Thank you so much for rescuing this adorable kitten!! I am also happy she has a family with Toodles and the wonderful nurturing mother! A very big Heartfelt Thank you!
awww so awesome Alyssa was persistant and that Josh’s family was so supportive.
I can see BCR brings really cool people together. Warms my heart to hear such stories ♥
Thank you.
From a rescuer of many years now!.
I live in a gorgeous State that has very little for rescuers especially cats & kittens!
I’m from a State that had volumes of rescues, who were all connected.
I have had many , many amazing beautiful stories of these types of rescues with not one regret!
My amazing husband of 35 years who supported my love of animals and helping them no matter the situation or cost sadly passed away October 26th 2017 ( not quite a year).
I’m grateful for the human beings who care, the rescues that aren’t jaded !
I am now about to lose everything I’ve fought for 8 cats all very serious rescues, 2 horses rescues ( 1 I’ve had 11 years from a premarin ranch, at 4 months old he was just a byproduct of Wyeth pharmaceuticals), Flash who I rescued from an old outfitters pasture , he was alone & he led with metal handcuffs around his back feet left in a field to wrott!
He is now 26 ( looks 12, acts 12 & adores me)
I’m losing them all.
I’m scared, honestly the thought of this happening after all we have given sacrificed over many years and asking for help for a year now from other states , rescues, before this became an emergency, has left me almost with NO hope in humanity!
Even fellow rescuers.
My name is Laura and this story is real & alive!
I’m not sure here & why, although I’m touched to tears & understanding of the love and dedication it took for this one little girl kitten. I get it.
I need help with my rescues that I felt the same way with, I’ve been asking! No one is hearing me!
No judgment please, I need help and reassurance my rescues wont be a waste and left to rot without a dear story.
This is true! This is life!
Birdie is one lucky little girl. This story is lovely as are Alyssa and Josh. Hurray for Alyssa’s persistence and her roomie’s special touch with the bottle. Thanks to all of you who do such a great job saving little (and bigger) souls.
For those of us who wish we could adopt them and Love them all forever I say Bless You!
Awesome job guys! I’m a cat mom to multiple rescue or adopted kitties and am thankful there are people like you and your organization out there. Keep up the good work!
No way I would have given the kitten up.
Such a heartwarming story. I’m in love with Birdie. Alyssa & Josh…you’re angels. Love what you have done for Birdie, and all that you do on the whole.