It all started with a random video that no one expected would change a life forever.
A tiny kitten with big eyes and trembling meows appeared in front of the camera, crawling along the street with his back legs dragging behind him.
He wasn’t just injured, he was desperate.
His cries for help were loud, and even more heartbreaking was the way he followed strangers down the road.
All in hopes that someone, anyone, would stop and notice him.
Credit: poe.tential/ instagram.com
That someone turned out to be Fay, a volunteer at Rescue Adopt Foster. The moment she saw the video, she didn’t wait around.
She acted fast, rushing to the scene to scoop up the fragile kitten. He was clearly in trouble, and she knew every second mattered.
At the vet clinic, things became clearer and more worrying.
The kitten, now named Poe, had nerve damage that left his back legs completely paralyzed. It wasn’t going to be a quick fix.
But Poe had already proven one thing: he wasn’t giving up.
Credit: poe.tential/ instagram.com
Despite everything, he was full of life. He meowed, purred, and wiggled his way into the hearts of every vet, nurse, and volunteer he met.
His determination to live was obvious.
So, they got to work. Poe received all the medical attention he needed, and when it came time to find him a foster home, it wasn’t long before someone stepped forward to help.
But life, as always, had more twists in store.
Not long after Poe settled into his foster home, his owner had to leave on an unexpected trip.
That left Poe without a place to stay, and finding someone willing to care for a paralyzed kitten wasn’t easy.
Credit: poe.tential/ instagram.com
Special needs pets require more time, attention, and medical knowledge than most people realize.
That’s when Fay stepped back in. She already had experience with a paralyzed cat, so taking care of Poe, while challenging, wasn’t completely new to her.
She opened her home and her heart, once again.
But even she couldn’t have predicted what would happen next.
Poe started developing sores and cysts on his legs from dragging them around. Then one night, things took a sharp turn for the worse.
Poe suddenly couldn’t stand up. Moments later, he began having seizures. It was terrifying.
Credit: poe.tential/ instagram.com
With the vet clinic closed and no clear answers, Fay reached out to a friend who happened to be a vet.
Luckily, they responded quickly and came to help.
The cause? Critically low glucose levels. It was a close call, but with the right treatment, Poe pulled through.
And once again, he showed that he was a fighter.
As time went on, Fay and Poe grew inseparable. After everything they had been through, she knew she couldn’t part with him.
So, she made it official: Poe wasn’t just her foster cat anymore. He was family.
Credit: poe.tential/ instagram.com
Poe thrived. He gained strength, played like any other cat, and brought joy to everyone around him. His paralysis didn’t slow him down.
In fact, he became a bit of an online sensation, showing people around the world that a disability didn’t mean a poor quality of life.
He was living proof that with love and the right care, even animals with the toughest start could have full, happy lives.
But time eventually caught up with him.
Nearly five years after his rescue, Poe’s health began to decline. Despite every effort, he developed serious liver and heart issues.
His condition worsened, and this time, even with the best care, he couldn’t keep fighting.
Credit: poe.tential/ instagram.com
Poe passed away in Fay’s arms, surrounded by the love he had always deserved.
She later shared, “He taught me so much about unconditional love and about paralysis. I gave him my all and for that, I have no regrets. He will forever be a spoiled mama’s boy.”
Poe’s story is more than just a tale of rescue; it’s a reminder that even the smallest act of kindness can change a life.
That a tiny kitten, crying for help on the street, can go on to touch hearts around the world.
Because in the end, Poe didn’t just survive. He lived. And he was loved.
