Published May 27, 2026
Living on the streets is hard on cats, especially kittens. It’s estimated that over 50% of kittens born outside die before their first birthday. That’s why spaying and neutering community cats is so crucial, and why the work that organizations like Little Beans’ Hope Rescue does is so important.
This is the story of Everett, a little kitten who was rescued crossing the street, and how his boldness saved his entire family.
A Little Kitten, Strutting Across the Street
Everett was a bold little kitten. His eyes were so infected they were sealed shut, and still he was strutting across the street like he belonged there. Unfortunately, a kitten can be difficult for drivers to spot, especially when they’re driving too fast. He was very lucky not to be hit by a car!
Instead, he was spotted by a kind and knowledgeable rescue worker. She knew that where there’s one kitten, there are usually more, and that it’s crucial not to separate kittens so young from their mother and siblings. She went straight to work looking for any other cats hiding in the area.
Everett’s brother, Preston, was found hiding beneath a forklift behind a grocery store. Both kittens had fleas, eye infections, and were a little thin. Yet, they looked relatively well-fed, which meant that their mama must be nearby.
She went back the next day to look for her, expecting a simple TNR (trap, neuter, return). The boys’ mama was a very skinny, very young cat (later named Bea). She was hiding behind a dumpster, terrified, but once she was trapped she seemed to calm down.
Mama Bea looked up at her rescuer with sweet eyes, like she was begging for help. It was clear that this wasn’t a feral cat.
Instead of returning her outdoors, she was reunited with her kittens. She began cleaning them up immediately, seeming happy to care for them again.
The Path to Recovery–and Adoption!
After their time outdoors, the cats took time to recover from their ailments. Once they’d healed and were flea-free, the kittens came to life. They were playful and active, and also glued at the hip!
To no one’s surprise, Everett became the leader. Preston followed him everywhere, taking cues from his brother as they learned how to interact with toys, humans, and other cats.
The two boys were soon adopted to a loving home outside of Florida. As an older cat, Bea took longer to get adopted–going over six months with no applications. She thrived in her foster home, gaining confidence and growing into a friendly, outgoing cat.
More About Little Beans’ Hope Rescue
The cats’ rescuer never thought she was a cat person, until she got into rescue work. Although she started with dogs, she soon learned about cat overpopulation and how widespread the problem is.
She got into TNR for community cats, and that turned into the rescue work that’s the biggest part of her life today. Now, Little Beans’ Hope Rescue has saved over 800 cats and counting.
