Resilient kitten having a ball at home
Maddie has one true passion in life: chasing a ball. This brown tabby kitten simply can’t resist anything round and rolly. (She’s even intrigued by the decorative ceramic spheres in her house, even if they don’t roll the way she wants.) Maddie’s playful energy makes it hard to believe that the odds were once stacked against her.
Behind the eight ball
Best Friends supports shelters in reaching no-kill by taking in pets who may need extra care before going to homes — pets like Maddie, who was in rough shape when she came to the Best Friends Pet Resource Center in Bentonville, Arkansas, from a shelter several hours away. The 6-month-old kitty had intestinal parasites and only weighed 2 pounds. (An average cat that age weighs about 6 pounds.) Her golden eyes were clouded over due to inflammation, and an eye ulcer made things even worse.
[Cat’s world goes from blurry to bright]
Right away, the Best Friends veterinary team got the ball rolling on her treatment, which included eye drops, eye gels, and antiparasitic medication. Because of the nature of her treatment, Maddie stayed in the administrative area of the pet resource center, where she quickly became a favorite among the office staff. Their adorable new desk mate kept them entertained by chasing a fishy screensaver and showed her sweet side by grooming and cuddling with Beetle, another kitten receiving special care. Slowly but surely, Maddie started gaining weight, and her eyes cleared up.
Let the good times roll
When it was time to meet potential adopters, Maddie wasted no time in winning over a family. Now, she’s having a ball at home — lounging in front of the fireplace, playing in the pet-safe houseplants, and, of course, chasing her beloved balls across the house. With adventure around every corner and a kitty friend to keep her company, it’s only good times ahead for Maddie.
Let's make every shelter and every community no-kill in 2025
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.
You can help save homeless pets
You can help end the killing in shelters and save the lives of homeless pets when you foster, adopt, and advocate for the dogs and cats who need it most.
Saving lives around the country
Together, we're creating compassionate no-kill communities nationwide for pets and the people who care for them.
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