A new set of ears for an injured cat

There’s something magical about people who foster pets. They open their homes to pets in need, providing a comforting place to stay. But it’s often so much more than that. For foster volunteer Erin Parker, it meant getting out her crochet hooks to make a special gift for her foster cat, Sweet Pea. 

Sweet Pea was found in a parking lot with a shocking injury: Her pointy triangle ears were gone, and the wounds were still fresh. Despite the injury, she was beautiful inside and out. Whatever happened to Sweet Pea, it hadn’t broken her loving spirit.

[Just call her chicken pants: Hen’s fashions help her get around]

A cat rescue group in central Arkansas took in Sweet Pea and gave her immediate medical attention. The organization already had many cats and kittens in its care, so Best Friends offered to help by taking in Sweet Pea and placing her in a home. Best Friends’ goal is for shelters across the country to reach no-kill in 2025, and collaborating with our shelter and rescue partners to take in and place their pets in new homes is just one of the ways we work together toward that shared goal.

A day after arriving at the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, Sweet Pea went to stay with volunteer Erin. She made herself right at home. From drinking water straight from the faucet to lifting her chin to receive scratches, it was clear Sweet Pea was feeling happy and comfortable.

[How this dog's 'snoods' are helping him beat skin cancer]

Erin wanted to do something special for this sweet girl who’d been through so much, so she put her skill and creativity to work. Erin got out her yarn and crochet hooks and fashioned a soft pair of ears for Sweet Pea to wear. The results? Off-the-chart adorableness.

Before long, Sweet Pea was adopted into a home of her own. Her new home is filled with tons of toys and lots of cozy spots for catnaps. She will spend the rest of her life being treated like the special kitty she is.

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill in 2025. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.