Two tiny kittens, a tuxedo named Hadley and a tabby named Ernie, arrived at the Humane Society in Tampa in desperate need of care. Weighing just 12 ounces each, they were severely underfed and starved of affection.

A foster volunteer, Allison, stepped in to help. She welcomed the kittens into her home, giving them a warm, safe recovery space.

They were believed to have been “found as orphans and brought in by Good Samaritans as a result of the storm (Helene),” according to the shelter.

“The first day, they were struggling because they were hungry. Since then, they’ve shown a lot of bravery and are incredibly friendly,” Allison shared with Love Meow.

Once Hadley, the tuxedo, started to feel safe, she immediately sought comfort in her foster mom’s arms. After her first full meal, she began purring and kneading as she snuggled up to Allison, demanding more cuddles.

Allison ensured the kittens received constant care to help them regain strength and stay on track with their growth. “I’m not getting much sleep, but seeing their little faces makes it worth it,” she said.

Full of energy, Hadley soon started exploring outside her playpen and encouraged Ernie to join her. Their excitement grew when they heard the paw-steps of the resident dogs. The kittens eagerly ran toward the canines, purring as they cuddled up to them.

Ernie, who has extra toes, curiously sniffed the dogs’ large paws before finding a cozy spot on one of their bellies.

The dogs, in turn, didn’t mind the kittens’ affectionate gestures, even letting them pounce on their tails and nibble at their ears.

Hadley, especially, seemed to believe she was one of the dogs. She followed them around the house, trying to keep up despite her small size. “Hadley is incredibly playful and always wants attention. She’s quite the character,” Allison remarked.

When it was time to rest, Hadley would snuggle up close to one of the dogs, finding comfort in their warmth.

While Ernie stuck closer to Allison, Hadley enjoyed her little adventures around the house or hanging out with her canine friends.

The sound of a filled food bowl sent both kittens racing across the room like little energy bolts.

“They love following me around and always wake up when they hear my voice, probably because I’m feeding them,” Allison explained. “Their personalities are starting to show now that they’re getting regular meals.”

Hadley, the more adventurous of the two, encouraged her brother to explore, leading him up the cat tree and sharing her favorite scratching post. She even introduced him to her canine companions.

These kittens, who once wandered outside alone in the storm, are now thriving in their foster home. With each other and a loving family of humans and dogs, their future looks bright and full of love.

Following Hadley’s lead, Ernie curled up next to Olive, one of the dogs, and the two soon drifted off to sleep.

These kittens were in danger of being swept away by the storm just days ago. Now, they are safe, well-cared-for, and surrounded by affection from their foster family.

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