Most kittens that end up in shelters arrive with stories of hardship, but little Teresita’s journey stood out from the rest.
From the very beginning, her fight for survival was nothing short of extraordinary.
She was found wandering the streets all alone, a fragile five-week-old with no family in sight.
At first glance, she looked like any lost kitten, but as her rescuer got closer, he noticed something far more alarming.
A severe wound covered part of her head, and it was clear she needed help immediately.
Source: one_eared_teresita / Instagram
Walking away was not an option.
Determined to save her, the kind Samaritan began what would turn into a two-day mission to catch her.
Teresita, terrified and in pain, resisted at first.
It took patience, persistence, and compassion before he finally managed to bring her to safety.
When she was rushed to the vet clinic, the full extent of her injuries came to light.
Teresita had suffered a serious burn to her head.
The damage was devastating.
Louise, the vet who examined her, later recalled the heartbreaking condition she was in.
“This kitten’s entire pinna of the ear was gone, had a few maggots, and her skin was burned all around extending to the center of her head,” she explained.
It was hard to imagine how such a tiny kitten had endured so much. At just five weeks old, most kittens are still figuring out the world.
Source: one_eared_teresita / Instagram
Teresita, however, had already survived a nightmare.
Treating her was no simple task.
Because she was so young, the vets had to place her under anesthesia to clean and properly care for the wound.
It was a risky step for such a small patient, but it was the only way to give her a chance.
To everyone’s relief, Teresita pulled through.
When she woke up, she was weak, but her spirit began to shine almost immediately.
Within days, she started to play, explore, and even purr as if determined to leave her painful past behind.
Her transformation was remarkable.
What had once been a frightened and injured kitten soon became a little bundle of energy, chasing toys and charming anyone who stopped by the clinic.
Source: one_eared_teresita / Instagram
Staff members couldn’t help but be drawn to her resilience and sweetness.
But for Louise, the connection went even deeper. As Teresita healed, Louise found herself spending more and more time with her.
Initially, the plan was simple, she would foster the kitten until she was healthy enough to be adopted.
Yet something changed along the way.
Every day, Louise and her partner grew more attached.
They admired her courage, laughed at her playful antics, and melted every time she curled up to nap beside them.
Before long, it became clear that Teresita wasn’t just passing through their lives. She belonged with them.
What began as fostering slowly turned into something permanent.
Louise and her partner decided they couldn’t let her go.
Source: one_eared_teresita / Instagram
They officially adopted her, making the little one-eared kitten a cherished member of their family.
The decision came as a surprise even to them.
They hadn’t planned on adopting a cat, but Teresita had a way of rewriting plans.
She had already fought so hard to survive, and now she had finally found the forever home she deserved.
Today, Teresita is thriving.
She may only have one ear, but that hasn’t slowed her down in the slightest. She’s playful, affectionate, and endlessly curious.
More importantly, she’s safe, loved, and no longer alone.
Her story is more than just a tale of survival. It’s proof of how resilience and kindness can change everything.
From a tragic start on the streets to a terrifying injury, Teresita’s life could have ended in heartbreak.
Source: one_eared_teresita / Instagram
Instead, thanks to a determined rescuer and a vet who refused to give up on her, she now gets to spend her days surrounded by warmth and love.
For Louise and her partner, the adoption was as unexpected as it was life-changing.
They may have saved Teresita, but in many ways, she saved them too.
She filled their home with joy and reminded them that sometimes the best things in life are the ones you never see coming.
Teresita’s journey shows us that even the smallest, most fragile creatures can carry immense strength.
