Rescuing kittens is often easier said than done, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. From the first time they leave their safe space to the moment you realize they feel completely at home, every milestone is as special as the last.

For the ‘purr-fect’ proof, look no further than mom, dog mom, and stylist @karenmb05. On December 2, she caught a feral kitten at her salon and brought her home to the cozy, heated garage. She’s making slow and steady steps toward warming up to Karen, but viewers are smitten with the kitten regardless of her hard-to-get demeanor.

What a beautiful cat! Her fluffy fur looks so cuddly, and her tiny size is irresistible. It’s easy to see why Karen scooped this baby up to get her somewhere safe, but it’s not so easy to earn the skittish kitten’s trust.

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“She’s definitely not a feral cat,” commented @cole1582. “Just scared! She will make a great indoor kitty for you!” Thousands of viewers agreed with the most-liked comment, though everyone was cheering for this transformation to happen sooner rather than later.

By the next morning, the rescue kitten was already showing interest in toys—but she wasn’t ready to be touched just yet. Karen wasn’t the only one waiting for the moment when she could finally pet the fluffy tuxedo kitten, and the moment finally came two long days later.

That’s incredible progress! Karen still can’t pick up the stray kitten to confirm whether she’s truly a girl, as most viewers suspect, but she also has a spay/neuter appointment scheduled for the kitten next week. In no time at all, this fluffy baby is going to be completely prepared to begin her new lease on life… perhaps with Karen and her family!

Earning a Stray Cat’s Trust

Karen knows that taking her time with this kitten could make a world of difference when earning her trust. When a cat leads an interaction, they tend to feel much safer! This orange kitten needed a few days to decompress before she was ready to get to know her rescuer, but they’re on the right track already.

“Great job,” encouraged @moonpie9194. “The petting while eating is so good. They associate the petting with good feelings because she’s eating. The more you do that, the better. I work with ferals, and she’s doing great.”

That’s wonderful news! It’s safe to say that Karen and her kitten have lots of new fans waiting on bated breath for every update, so this fairy tale is far from over.

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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Dec 6, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.