A rescuer couple in Philadelphia was relieved when a mama cat lead them to her 4 kittens hidden in a box.
Little did they know, they were about to receive a very special surprise.
When they peaked in the box, their hearts stopped.
One of these kittens was unlike any kitten they’d ever seen before…
Keep reading to discover how this teeny tiny pirate is stealing hearts and sparking joy, one squeak at a time!
A Mysterious Guest
It was a warm and cloudy summer day in Philadelphia when Kris and Kia Papiernik, founders of Kolony Kats, made a shocking discovery.
Kris and Kia care for several colonies of cats that they have trapped, neutered/spayed, and returned (TNR for short).
On this particular day, the Papierniks were on their way to feed one of their colonies when something unusual caught their eye…
Crossing the street was a beautiful cat Kris and Kia had never seen before.
“Whenever we see a cat, we always pull over, stop to feed them and talk to neighbors to see if the cat belongs to anyone, or if there are any caretakers or feeders so that we can offer help and give them TNR resources,” the Papierniks shared.
When Kris and Kia got out of their car to approach the cat, they realized this wasn’t just any cat – this was a nursing mama cat!
The mama cat was friendly, but cautious.
Now Kris and Kia had another mystery to solve – where were her babies?
A Shocking Discovery
The Papierniks fed the mama cat on the sidewalk and quietly watched from a distance to see if she would lead them to her kittens.
“This is our usual technique when we find a nursing mama cat. We feed them and watch from afar because after they eat, most mother cats will go tend to their kittens,” the Papierniks shared.
Sure enough, the mama cat lead them right to her kittens!
Kris and Kia watched as she walked up to someone’s front porch.
They approached the porch and noticed several boxes and scattered rubble.
They peaked inside one of the boxes and there they were – four fuzzy little kittens!
“We spoke to the homeowner who shared that the mama cat was a local stray who had given birth to several litters over the years. She had always chose their porch to raise her litters.”
But this time, Kolony Kats was there to the rescue! It was this mama cat’s lucky day.
However, one kitten in particular caught their eye…
A Teeny Tiny Pirate
Kris and Kia scooped up the mama cat and kittens and made arrangements to take them to the vet.
Luckily, the mama cat and kittens were in good health.
The tiniest kitten whom they named Korduroy was missing an eye and had a lifted upper lip, leaving some of his teeth and gums exposed.
After speaking with the vet, they learned Korduroy has a cleft lip and anopthalmia (the absense of one eye).
The good news was that Korduroy was in good health.
He did not need any medical attention – his condition was purely cosmetic!
Kris and Kia like to call him a teeny tiny pirate. His single eye and cleft lip look as if he’s a pirate saying, “Argh!”
Tiny but Mighty
Korduroy and his siblings were estimated to be 3-4 weeks old.
Their mom would be taking care of them until they could stand on their own feet.
The mama cat was much happier now that she could raise her kittens in a safe place!
“Korduroy was the runt of his litter, but his siblings and mom didn’t treat him any differently. He’s tiny, but mighty!” the Papierniks shared with National Kitty.
Like most kittens born in the wild, Korduroy was a little wary of humans.
He gave Kris and Kia a little hiss when they scooped him up, but soon he was melting into their arms.
Spoiled Rotten
Korduroy touched the hearts of everyone he met.
He was an instant internet sensation!
Thousands of Kolony Kats fans gushed over his charming wink and quirky smile. People simply couldn’t get enough of him.
What Korduory lacked in size, he made up in personality.
“He is a kitten and his personality screams kitten! He loves to eat, play and is very curious,” Kris and Kia shared.
Korduroy knows he’s handsome too. He has a special way of getting what he wants!
“He is super sweet and vocal. If he doesn’t get his way, he will let you know!” said the Papierniks.
When Korduroy isn’t leaping and bouncing with joy, he likes to relax and snuggle with his siblings and foster family.
Korduroy’s Future
Korduroy’s mom and siblings have been spayed/neutered and found their forever homes.
Since Korduroy was the smallest kitten of the litter, he doesn’t weigh enough to be neutered.
For now, this little pirate will be pampered by his foster family and enjoy many delicious treats and snacks until he is ready for his operation.
When it’s time, this special boy will be adopted out to a very special family.
Korduroy continues to spark joy and steal the hearts of everyone who sees him.
Korduroy’s Happily Ever After
Little Korduroy has since been adopted by a loving family.
Thanks to Kris and Kia, this little pirate has a lifetime of beautiful memories to look forward to.
He continues to capture hearts, one squeak at a time!
Meet Our Heroes – Kolony Kats
Kris & Kia Papiernik, the founders of Kolony Kats, are a married lesbian couple who reside in Philadelphia, PA.
For the last 10 years, Kolony Kats’s mission has been to advocate and practice TNR to prevent the miserable cycle of suffering that feral cats and kittens are forced to endure.
Day or night, rain or shine, sleet or snow, Kolony Kats is committed to their mission.
The cats can’t take “time off” from the suffering they were born into, therefore Kris and Kia won’t take time off from helping them.
“We’re their only hope.”
Any and every cat that crosses Kris and Kia’s path will be spayed/neutered.
By practicing TNR, they’ve made a monumental difference in the stray and feral cat populations in their community, but they still have a long way to go.
Kris and Kia also care for their TNR colonies on a daily basis. The more cats they TNR, the more cats they need to support.
They care for 60+ cats daily across 8 different locations all while continuing to TNR.
“When you have so many cats in need depending on you and you are their only hope, you cannot let them down,” Kris and Kia shared.
They provide food and medical treatment for several colonies throughout the city and surrounding areas.
“We do this because we believe that every cat deserves to have someone who cares about them,” Kris and Kia shared.
They feed cats living in alleys, backyards, under dumpsters, driveways, sidewalks, and street corners.
It takes a village to save these cats!
Above & Beyond
Kolony Kats doesn’t just stop at TNR. Over the years, they’ve integrated fostering and rescuing into their life saving missions.
“For many cats, TNR is the only humane option,” said the Papierniks.
“But, for some (like Korduroy & family) it turns in to a rescue mission to find them foster placement and ultimately a FURREVER home!” the Papierniks explained.
A Real Life Superhero
Kris and Kia don’t work entirely alone. When time permits, they are accompanied by their 8 year old nephew, Shon.
Shon has been helping Kris and Kia feed their colonies since he was 3 years old.
He used to dress up in superhero costumes to feed the cats because he said, “I’m a superhero for the cats!”
“Now that he is older, he doesn’t dress up in full costume, but always wears superhero or cat apparel!” shared the Papierniks.
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