It saddens me to think about the hardships that some animals face during their lonely life on the streets.
Sometimes they end up in situations they cannot overcome and all that they can do is hope that someone will find them.
A little animal hoped to get help, too, as he struggled on a highway as the cars sped past him.
The creature was tired and running out of strength. He was close to giving up.
A Struggling Feline On The Side Of The Road
Katie Zelenika was on her way to Chicago, Illinois, when she noticed something unusual on the median of a busy highway.
She was stunned to realize that it was a small orange cat who was moving clumsily along the concrete, Zelenika was worried for his safety. She was too close to the traffic.
Since the cat looked lost and weak, the woman wasn’t sure if he was still alive. She went back to check on him.
The Journey To Safety
When Zelenika returned, she found him lying on what looked like a sewer grate. He was motionless.
The last thing she wanted was to scare him away so she approached him slowly. As she got closer to the cat, she saw a flicker of life. He was alive but exhausted and scared.
Zelenika was relieved and she started talking to him, trying to lure him to safety.
It took her nearly half an hour to gain his trust and coax him into the car.
Once he was finally safe inside, she immediately contacted the Michiana Humane Society. The rescue agreed to sponsor his medical care and arranged for him to see a vet.
The little orange cat, soon named Sunny, had no microchip. He had been declawed and his paws were severely burned.
“All of his paw pads were burnt off from walking,” Zelenika told The Dodo.
The cat must have walked for miles on hot asphalt with no protection.
A Fresh Start For Sunny
When Sunny first arrived at Zelenika’s home, he was timid.
Everything was new. He stayed close to hiding spots and watched his foster mom from a distance. But little by little, he began to trust her.
“He slowly really opened up and was being a lot more playful,” Zelenika added.
His eyes became bright and he leaned into her hands, asking for affection.
Sunny especially loved belly rubs.
As time went by, it became clear that he wanted a forever home.
The cat spent two months with Zelenika, and during that time, he healed and regained confidence.
Sunny’s greatest wish came true when he was adopted through the Michiana Humane Society.
Zelenika felt a mix of sadness and pride as he left.
“He’s the sweetest guy ever and would be the best lifelong friend,” Sunny’s foster mom said.
A cat who once lay helpless on a highway median now has a home where he can rest without fear.
Thanks to Zelenika’s kindness and quick reaction, Sunny got a second chance at life.