When Mortadella arrived at the Brant County SPCA, she was a fragile, frightened kitten rescued from the dump alongside her sister, Bear. The two were not given the start that any animal deserves, like so many on their own, they had to fight to survive.
“They had been subjected to the hard conditions of the environment,” Animal Care Team Member Athena recalled, “like extreme heat, lack of food, illness, and predators like coyotes.”
During their spay appointments, Athena and the team discovered just how feral and terrified the sisters were. “They were hissing at the slightest movement,” Athena explained. It was thought that the two would be enrolled in our Barn Buddies program; for cats who aren’t suitable as house pets but still require appropriate shelter and support.
But fate had different plans for these kittens. Bear’s surgery revealed she had eaten a stomach full of garbage—and had a tapeworm. She needed emergency surgery and was placed in the care of a foster who worked as a vet tech.
That left Mortadella alone.
“I took her in to foster with my twin sister. She was so scared and unsure at first. But after about a week, she started to blossom.”
When Bear was stable enough, Athena brought her home too. Socialization went well, although Bear made slower progress. “Mortadella became very outgoing—still a bit skittish, but cuddly and pretty bold,” Athena shared. “Bear was very shy and only really came out at night or for treats.”
Despite fostering both kittens, Athena had never planned on adopting them. “I wanted to adopt a slightly older cat,” they admitted. “But watching Mortadella’s personality unfold—from hissing at every movement to sleeping right beside my head and purring—that was special.”
The day Mortadella and Bear were brought back to the shelter for adoption was heartbreaking.
“When I put them in the cage, Mortadella cowered in the corner, shaking,” Athena recalled. “She looked up at me so confused and scared. All I could think about was how happy and relaxed she had been at home.”
Athena vividly remembers the moment Mortadella first trusted her enough to sit in her lap. “Feeling her go from tense to a melted, purring pile of fur—I knew she felt safe for the first time.”
That memory made the decision clear.
“I promptly gathered Mortadella back into my carrier,” Athena said, smiling, “and we brought her home, where she immediately went to her favourite window and purred almost all day.””I’m so happy to have brought her into my home, she’s such a special little kitten.”
By donating today, you give animals like Mortadella and her sister Bear the opportunity to become a part of a family. The chance to get out of the cold and into the arms of people who will love them!
