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I had been volunteering at a tiger and big cat "rescue" in Indiana (a HORRIBLE place that was shut down a few years later) for a while. It was heartbreaking, but I was hoping that MAYBE it just needed a few more volunteers to help it get 'back on its feet.' So for a summer, my husband and I went on weekends to help out.

The very last weekend that I volunteered at this "rescue," I overheard the owner saying that they had multiple female cats all give birth to kittens and they were sick of them. They had decided to dump all the kittens off somewhere (I was praying it was a shelter). I couldn't stand the thought of over 40 kittens being dumped somewhere. So, I asked the owner if I could see the kittens.

KITTEN. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK / OHLALALALA

They all looked sickly and not well cared for. Most were under 8 weeks, closer to 5 or 6 weeks. I was about to give up when I found four TINY black kittens in a corner. They couldn't have been more than 3-4-weeks-old. I asked if he was taking them away as well, and he said yes he was done with the kittens.

As I looked over the four kittens, the largest kitten meowed indignantly when I tried to pick her up. I fell instantly in love. The little girl had called out to me. I was sad that I couldn't save them all, but at least I saved my Gizmo. It took some work, but I raised a healthy happy cat. She is now 9-years-old. I have also moved to a new state and work at a REAL tiger sanctuary. I didn't give up my love for tigers just because of one bad situation, and Gizmo reminds me every day why I do what I do.

PHOTO: LISA B. FROM EUREKA SPRINGS, AR

Real sanctuaries don't breed (even little cats). My Gizmo has the heart of a tiger (a lazy tiger but a tiger). It just goes to show you that good things can come from horrible situations with a little love and kindness.

Story submitted by Lisa B. from Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Share your very own rescue story here!