Late last month, Sara Sharp, founder of the Community Cat Club, was contacted about a tiny kitten, Crescendo (affectionately called Chris), who urgently needed help.

Chris and his mother and siblings were rescued from a hoarding situation. However, shortly after arriving in foster care, it became clear that Chris was struggling to survive. “He was already the smallest of the litter when we rescued them,” Sara told Love Meow.

Weighing far less than his siblings, Chris was cold, weak, and sick, yet he never gave up. “His foster mom brought him to me, and we immediately placed him in an incubator for warmth and started providing critical care,” Sara explained.

Chris wasn’t able to eat on his own, so Sara began tube-feeding him every two hours. Her persistence paid off as Chris finally started to show signs of improvement, and his body temperature stabilized. Though he was small, he had a courageous heart.

Within a few days, Chris began gaining weight, and Sara noticed his tiny belly growing—a sign of his progress.

Despite his fragile state, Sara could see his fiery spirit and remained hopeful that Chris would overcome the odds.

When Sara took Chris to the vet, he quickly charmed the staff with his big personality and an even bigger voice for such a small kitten.

It was a difficult journey, but Sara never gave up on him. “Caring for critical neonatal kittens is exhausting, but it’s worth it to save little lives like Chris,” she said.

“Chris is a feisty little fighter,” Sara added. “He screams when he’s hungry, and he knows what he wants.”

As Chris passed the 200-gram (7-ounce) milestone, he let out tiny, triumphant roars as if declaring himself a fighter. His head still seemed larger than his body, but his fighting spirit was undeniable.

Though he still needed help feeding, he showed signs of progress. “It’s his world, and I’m just living in it,” Sara joked.

Sara introduced him to some new snuggle toys, and despite being smaller than his plushie, Chris eagerly wrestled with it, determined to prove his strength.

“It’s been a rollercoaster, but he’s doing well now. He’s still small and taking his time, but that’s okay.”

After weeks of effort, Chris mastered the bottle and ate consistently, gaining strength daily.

When he sees his food, he stretches his toes and opens his mouth wide, ready for a meal. Chris’s loud meows make it clear he won’t tolerate any delays when it’s time to eat.

“He’s very vocal, knows exactly what he wants, and loves head rubs and kisses,” Sara said.

After three weeks of dedicated care, Chris is growing stronger and starting to resemble a healthy kitten. He adores his caretakers, enjoying cuddles and affection after every meal.

Though he faced many challenges early on, Chris is now thriving, with a healthy appetite and a curiosity for the world around him.