Meet our Meow Mail sponsored kittens of the month, Jack & Jill!
These identical tripod twins are unstoppable!
What started as a nightmare ended like a fairytale, thanks to a few kind hearts and helpful hands.
“I got a call one night from a veterinarian at an emergency clinic asking me if I could help with two kittens who’d been accidentally injured by a lawnmower,” said Sarah Richardson, a critical care cat rescuer for Community Cats of Central Arkansas.
A woman in rural Arkansas living on several acres of land was mowing her grass one evening when a tragic accident occured.
The woman didn’t have cats of her own and had never seen any cats or kittens on her property.
Not to mention it was difficult for her to see anything in the tall grass she was mowing.
She was walking to her car the next morning when she heard whimpering in the distance.
She kept searching until she finally found the source of the cries: two tiny kittens curled up in a little ball, holding each other tight.
Rushing to The Rescue
The woman’s heart dropped when she realized what had happened.
She rushed the kittens to the emergency vet, but didn’t have the financial resources to pay for the emergency surgery they desperately needed.
She offered to pay for what she could afford, which was either medication or euthanasia.
“The vet told me that they needed emergency surgery. If they couldn’t get it, they’d need to be euthanized,” said Sarah.
“We didn’t have the money either, but we scraped together what we could and financed the rest,” Sarah continued. “I couldn’t bear to let them be euthanized.”
Sarah took the kittens to her personal vet the next morning for emergency surgery where they’d each have their back left leg amputated.
Just when things were starting to look hopeful, Sarah was met with more troubling news…
Tiny but Mighty
What Sarah didn’t know at the time was just how young the kittens were.
They were roughly 5 weeks old, weighing less than a pound.
They weren’t even fully weaned yet!
“It’s incredible that they survived the surgery considering how little they are,” said Sarah.
It was risky for kittens this young to have an invasive surgery, but Sarah didn’t have a choice.
It was either risk the surgery or have no chance of survival without it.
But the surgery was a success!
These kittens were tiny but mighty.
They had a strong will to live. Nothing could slow them down!
Twin Kittens, Twin Tripods
Since they’re twins, Sarah gave them names that fit them perfectly: Jack and Jill!
This brother and sister duo are indistinguishable.
If it weren’t for Jack being a boy and Jill being a girl, it’d be impossible to tell them apart!
Coincidentally, each of their back left legs were removed, making them identical tripods!
Together Forever
Jack and Jill share an incredibly special bond.
It’s their love and support for each other that’s given them the strength to survive.
Sarah has promised to put them up for adoption as a bonded pair. They belong together!
“They need each other,” said Sarah. “After everything they’ve been through, I couldn’t imagine separating them.”
Since having surgery, Jack & Jill have been fully weaned and learned how to eat cat food.
“These kittens are so impressive. They’ve been champs throughout their entire journey!” said Sarah.
They’re still getting adjusted to walking on 3 legs, but they’ve already made huge progress.
Now that the worst is over, Jack & Jill can finally relax and focus on being kittens!
“They’re already tumbling around and playing with toys,” said Sarah. “Their spunky personalities are shining brighter than ever!”
They’ll still need several follow-up vet visits to ensure their recovery is going smoothly.
Once they’re old enough, they’ll be fully vetted, spayed/neutered, and ready to find their forever family!
The woman who found the kittens set up humane traps to find the mama cat or any remaining kittens, but she came up empty handed.
It’s a mystery how Jack and Jill ended up alone in those fields, but everyone is so grateful they’re safe and sound.
“It amazes me that they survived through the night with their injuries,” said Sarah. “I’m just happy we got to them in time.”
Help Jack & Jill Live Happily Ever After
Jack and Jill’s medical costs were very expensive and have left the rescue with a big financial burden.
“We already have 80+ rescue cats we’re rehabilitating, most of which are critical care cats with big vet bills of their own,” said Sarah.
If you’d like to help with Jack & Jill’s medical expenses, please donate through our Meow Mail program.
Community Cats of Central AR is a small 501(c)3 non-profit rescue organization led by two women in a rural community with high animal cruelty rates.
They rely on donations from kind-hearted individuals to continue saving cats & kittens that have suffered from neglect, abuse, or abandonment.
By donating as little as $10, you’ll be emailed a progress picture and personalized message with heartwarming updates on how your donation changed Jack and Jill’’s life.
Please consider making a recurring donation to receive Meow Mail each month for future cats and kittens in critical condition.
Follow Sarah on Instagram to see more of Jack & Jill and her other adorable foster cats!
Karen Jenkins
Monday 17th of October 2022
Loved the story. Can iD with cats having personality of their own. Story and pictures make such a nice read would make a wonderful childrens book!
Lynn Hand
Monday 3rd of October 2022
Bless you for helping save these precious babies.. I have three kitties of my own. They are very loved…
Kathy Mayton
Friday 30th of September 2022
I'm an exceptional cat lover..my fur babies are my everything. It's good to read stories of those the same. It's a cruel world, my heart goes out to those who help take in rescues & finding homes. I'm unable but hope to someday, share my home for any furbabies in need. Bless to all.