In a quiet Los Angeles neighborhood, a woman heard a faint, persistent meow echoing from her backyard. Following the sound, she discovered a heartbreaking sight—a one-day-old kitten, eyes still shut, lying helplessly on the cold ground. Alone and vulnerable, the newborn kitten with a cleft nose had been abandoned just hours after birth. The woman gently scooped up the tiny creature and placed her in a warm blanket, hoping her mother would return. But as the hours passed, it became clear the kitten had been left behind.
A Foster Mom Steps In
Fortunately, hope arrived in the form of Ashley Kelley, a dedicated foster volunteer from Wrenn Rescues. Ashley came across a social media post about the kitten and immediately felt a strong urge to help. Without hesitation, she reached out to the finder and set off with gloves, a mask, and a determination to save the kitten’s life.
“Something told me that I needed to go get it immediately,” Ashley recalled. “I got in touch with the finder, grabbed a mask and gloves, and hopped in my car.”
When Ashley arrived, she found the kitten crying loudly, hungry and alone. The woman who had discovered her explained she had waited for the mother cat, but sadly, she never returned.
The Harsh Reality of Nature
Ashley, no stranger to animal rescue, explained that sometimes mother cats abandon weak or unwell kittens to focus on those more likely to survive. “Unfortunately, that is how nature works sometimes,” she said. “Mamas leave their weak, incompatible-with-life babies and focus on their healthy ones.”
Despite her cleft nose and fragile appearance, the kitten was alert and vocal—signs of a strong will to live. Ashley didn’t see a lost cause; she saw a fighter.
A Special Kind of Care
Ashley quickly brought the kitten home and assessed her condition. While her cleft nose was noticeable, Ashley also found a small hole in the kitten’s palate. This meant that bottle-feeding her would be too dangerous.
“She has a teeny tiny hole in her palate along with the cleft nose, so it’s not safe to bottle-feed her. She needs to be tube-fed,” Ashley explained.
With gentle hands and years of experience, Ashley began tube-feeding the kitten, making sure she received the nourishment needed to survive those crucial early days.
A Warrior’s Name
From the beginning, the kitten displayed a surprising amount of energy and resilience. Inspired by her strength, Ashley named her Aela, after a brave video game warrior.
“She’s named after a video game character I always loved, who is a strong and fierce warrior, and is unique from most people,” Ashley shared.
The name perfectly captured Aela’s spirit—a tiny but fierce fighter.
Signs of Progress
Despite her size, Aela started showing remarkable awareness and affection. After feeding, she would snuggle up to Ashley, content and secure. She even began recognizing Ashley’s scent, a touching sign of their growing bond.
Ashley noted, “Other than needing to be tube-fed, she is a remarkably normal kitten so far.” Aela responded to touch, cried when she was hungry, and cuddled up when satisfied. Her development amazed everyone involved.
Holding On and Moving Forward
Each passing day marked another small victory for Aela. From a cold backyard in LA to a warm home filled with love, her journey symbolized resilience. Her tiny frame held a powerful message—never give up, no matter the odds.
Although Aela’s future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: she has already won the hearts of those around her. Ashley’s dedication and Aela’s fighting spirit show how one act of kindness can change a life.
A Hopeful Tomorrow
As Aela continues to grow and heal, everyone hopes she will one day find a forever home. Her story reminds us that even the smallest lives matter, and with love and care, miracles can happen.
