“Everyone who has met him has been surprised and awed about his loving and trusting nature.”
Someone had hurt the 8-month-old kitten deliberately. But he never stopped loving and trusting people. In fact, the people who helped rescue the kitten — who’s now named Hardy — say he’s the most affectionate cat they’ve ever encountered.
Last week, someone found Hardy wandering around an apartment complex in District Heights, Maryland, and delivered him to Prince George’s County Animal Shelter. It was clear that he’d been tortured and abused — someone had cut his ears and tied up his limbs and tail, leaving terrible injuries.
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Alley Cat Rescue
A staff veterinarian at Alley Cat Rescue, an organization that helps stray and neglected cats, saw Hardy at the shelter and pulled him out.
“Our veterinarian immediately assessed him, and although we believed he would survive, we were worried about how his injuries would affect his long-term outcomes,” Brianna Grant, communications associate at Alley Cat Rescue, told The Dodo. “Thankfully, he has been recovering amazingly, and our veterinarians say he will likely live his life with the same outcomes as a declawed cat because of his lost toes.”
Alley Cat Rescue
Hardy needed surgery to fix his wounds, but he’s recovering well. “We are surprised by how well his wounds are healing,” Grant said. “He has been a true fighter. He was purring and kneading his blanket right after his operation.”
The more surprising thing about Hardy is how affectionate and friendly he is, despite everything he’s been through.
“When our first staff member approached him, he immediately perked up and went in to get his head nudged,” Grant said. “Everyone who has met him has been surprised and awed about his loving and trusting nature.”
Hardy doesn’t just show affection when people approach him — he seeks it out himself.
Alley Cat Rescue
“Hardy loves to stretch his neck towards people and then flop over for belly rubs,” Grant said. “He instantly starts purring the second he is pet. You can hear purring from a few feet away.”
After spending a few days at the vet, Hardy went into foster care, where he’ll remain until he’s fully recovered from his injuries. Understandably, he was a little scared when he first arrived at his foster home, and he went to his foster mom for comfort.
Hardy with his foster mom |Alley Cat Rescue
“He loves to give his foster mom hugs and rub his face into her,” Grant said. “He burrows into his foster mom when he is scared.”
But Hardy’s fear is disappearing.
Alley Cat Rescue
“Hardy is gaining confidence every day,” Amy Pate, Hardy’s foster mom, told The Dodo. “He wants to get out and explore his surroundings. His energy level is really picking up — he’s acting more like a very playful kitten.”
“Hardy is one of the most social cats I’ve ever fostered,” Pate added. “Despite all he’s gone through, he loves people. He is very affectionate and a purr machine. Hardy’s favorite activity is eating treats. He also loves sleeping in his ‘cave.’ And he loves getting belly rubs as much as most dogs.”
Alley Cat Rescue
“He has really stood up to his name, which means courageous and able to overcome difficult circumstances,” Grant said. “Everyone at Alley Cat Rescue has been humbled by how resilient he has been despite everything he has been through.”
Hardy won’t be up for adoption right away, but you can follow his progress on Alley Cat Rescue’s Facebook page.
A criminal investigation is also in progress to locate and prosecute Hardy’s abusers. Anyone with information is urged to contact Prince George’s County Animal Control at 301-780-7200. Alley Cat Rescue is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.
