Feral Kittens Overcome Fear and Learn to Trust in Their Foster Home

by Mark Ele

Two feral kittens, Kimchi and Wasabi, have undergone an incredible transformation, moving from hiding and hissing to purring and seeking affection.

Born to a feral mother, the two tabby sisters were brought to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington to give them a chance at a safer and happier life. They had little experience with humans, which made them wary of people. Asa, a foster volunteer, stepped in to help the kittens get comfortable with their new surroundings and begin the socialization process they desperately needed.

Watch the video at the end.

“When they first arrived, both kittens would hide from me at every opportunity,” Asa shared with Love Meow. “Wasabi, in particular, would hiss, spit, and swat to show her fear.”

After letting them adjust for a day, Asa began to work with the kittens to get them accustomed to human presence. She would spend time in their room, watching movies on her laptop and talking to them so they could become familiar with the sounds and movements of daily life.

Asa made sure to be present during their mealtimes, helping the kittens associate her with food. Gradually, Kimchi, the bolder of the two, started warming up to her. It began with Kimchi accepting treats from Asa’s hand, and soon enough, she allowed Asa to pet her. When Kimchi felt comfortable enough to climb into Asa’s lap, she purred for the first time, signaling a big step forward.

Her sister Wasabi, however, was much more hesitant. She would often hide behind Kimchi, relying on her for protection and reassurance. Asa spent extra time with Wasabi, gently wrapping her in a towel and cuddling her to ease her anxiety. These “purrito” sessions slowly helped Wasabi relax and begin to trust.

“It took a lot of time and patience, but eventually, Wasabi started to come around,” Asa said. Three weeks into their foster care, Wasabi finally let her guard down and allowed Asa to pet her. By the start of the New Year, she had turned into a purring, affectionate kitten who greeted her foster mom in the mornings.

One day, Wasabi came down from her usual spot on the cat tree to greet Asa, rubbing against her legs for the first time. “I could hardly believe how much she had changed,” Asa recalled. “She used to hide in the corner, and now she’s right there waiting for me.”

Kimchi, now confident and friendly, has bonded with the other animals in the household, including the family’s cats and dogs, as well as Asa’s husband. “She follows me around the house, curls up with me while I work, and enjoys hanging out in the living room,” Asa shared. Kimchi’s large eyes and sweet demeanor have won everyone over.

Wasabi remains a bit shy around the other animals, but with Asa, she has blossomed into a loving kitten. Asa hopes that with more time, Wasabi will become as comfortable as her sister, Kimchi.