Rescue Cat High-Fives Mom for Saving Her-and It Feels So Right

Adopting a cat is not easy at all, even if you find your soul cat. Rescue cats have special needs, and for the first few weeks after you adopt them, things are going to be difficult. They have to adjust to you and life inside their home, but over time, you can trust that they will get there.

One rescue cat decided to seal the deal with her mom in a very interesting way: a high five. It's one of the only tricks she knows, but she pulled it out in order to say thank you:

@kibble_slinger

Countless people walked by her every day, and no one stopped to help. By the time we got there she was barely clinging to life. She was gasping for air with an upper respiratory infection, had lost a litter of kittens resulting in an infected uterus (pyometra), and an infected foot where she was missing half a toe. Sadie is why TNR saves lives. She would have died on the street. Instead she is loved and cared for by the Sunshine Pines community. She even has a boyfriend, our colony king Papa. Please choose kindness today so we can continue to give Sadie the life she deserves, and help other cats that need TNR and vet services (we just spotted loose kittens in town!). You really do make the difference and we can't do it without you. #cats#lovecats#tnrworks

original sound - kibble_slinger

The Kibble Slinger definitely earned that high-five. Clearly, as a kibble slinger, she's the one feeding all of these cats, so they all trust her.

Related: Feral Cat Refuses to Return to the Wild After Falling in Love With Her Rescuer

This kitty's name is Sadie, and her story is so sad. She's a member of a feral cat colony, and she was in very rough shape. She had a respiratory infection, an infection in her uterus after she miscarried a litter of kittens, and an infected foot. And still, no one helped her until the Kibble Slinger came along.

Sadie's colony lives on their new property, which they had no idea about when they moved in. There are 43 cats in the colony, and they've begun the very important, humane TNR process for all of them. There's another cat in the colony whose eyes really show how tough this life can be:

@kibble_slinger

So they left all the cats, but how did we get here? It all started when we humans met by chance when a stranger saved my life In 2020 that stranger turned husband survived an accidental gsw to the head at a home renovation. He woke from his coma completely paralyzed except for one thumb & said he wanted to ‘rescue a ton more cats.' The doctors told me he would never leave the hospital. I told them "you don't know us." After 3 brain surgeries, a stroke, countless complications, seizures and five years of fighting, he can walk. We bought a little house way out in middle of nowhere so we could build a micro farmstead & cat sanctuary.. It just came with a few surprises - more than 40 sick, starved, pregnant & unfixed cats & kittens running loose! With the love and support of viewers like you, we've been able to fix, feed, shelter, and vet all 40+ survivors. We've also been able to help TNR cats in our local community & have plans to build a mobile TNR/Pet Pantry &storm rescue vehicle to bring help further into remote mountain communities here. Currently we're sorting through medical issues(9 stomatitis kitties), allergies, socialization, infrastructure (building catios & making the house more fun), growing a food supply, and setting up Meemaw merch (out now)! Please help us, two disabled folks (I'm 4th generation Ehlers Danlos/heds, POTS & more) help this massive kitty family live their best grain free lives -both of us have Celiac Disease, but CatDad has TBI related gluten seizures so we have to be super strict! That means we need grain free food, World's Best Cat Litter & other supplies from our wishlist because with a family this large, it really does take a village! We just can't do it without you. #cats#rescuedcats#catcolony#sunshinepinesrescue

Our Love Was Beautiful - Instrumental Version - Straight White Teeth

This is so sad. I feel awful for them, but I'm glad someone who cares about them finally has them under control. For most of them, TNVR is the answer.

Why TNVR Saves Lives

TNVR, or Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, and Release, is a very common method for aiding feral cats, especially in rural communities. There is no equal access to vets, shelters, or loving homes everywhere, after all.

TNVR is vital to keeping cats safe, even indoor cats. Unfortunately, there are not enough homes in the world to take in all the stray cats, and even if there were, they're most likely not going to be equipped to handle feral cats. TNVR does not take the cats off the streets permanently, but it:

• Prevents mating, inbreeding, and overpopulation.
• Stops the spread of diseases.
• Gives the organization a chance to see if the cat is in need of urgent care.

So, while TNVR doesn't end with a loving home, it is absolutely a lifesaving procedure. If you're looking for a way to help feral cats around you, please consider joining a TNVR organization!

SIGN UP to get "pawsitivity" delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM.