Emily — 2 years old survivor, FIV+, second chance at love
When we first saw Emily on the street, our hearts sank.
She was desperately trying to eat from a trash can, driven purely by hunger and the instinct to survive. But as we looked closer, it became clear she had endured something almost unimaginable. Large areas of skin were missing beneath her neck and along parts of her body, leaving severe, extensive wounds that spoke of deep suffering. We may never know what caused them—whether cruelty, chemicals, or something else entirely—but what mattered most in that moment was simple and undeniable: Emily still wanted to live.
She walked into the trap quickly, not out of defeat, but because a small part of her believed help might finally exist. She was terrified, shocked, and exhausted. Several veterinarians gently suggested euthanasia, describing her as “feral” and unlikely to be manageable after such trauma.
But when we looked at Emily, we saw something different. We saw fight, we saw hope, and we knew she deserved the chance to prove who she truly was.
So the long healing journey began.
Every single day, Emily took her medicine like a quiet warrior—even before she allowed human touch. Because Emily is FIV positive, her recovery required extra time, patience, and careful support, and her healing journey moved more slowly than most. Yet she faced every treatment with quiet strength. Gradually, day by day, she began to trust again. And truthfully, we believe she must have known kindness once before, because beneath the pain and fear was never a feral heart, but a deeply affectionate, gentle soul waiting for safety to return.
Today, Emily is fully healed. Some scars remain, and certain patches of fur may never grow back, but none of that defines her. What defines Emily is the astonishing amount of love she carries inside her. Now that she is not any more pain, and she feels comfortable, she has blossomed into the most affectionate and gentle cat! She now settles into laps for comfort and affection, making biscuits everywhere she stands—even on the hard floor—simply from hearing soft, loving words. When you call her, she comes running, grateful for every kindness. She is wonderfully food-motivated and always says thank you by rubbing gently against your legs after dinner.
Her voice is as tender as her spirit. Emily has the softest little “ah” meow, as if she is quietly answering you, and she returns your gaze with slow blinks full of trust. She loves baskets, plush blankets, and peaceful naps, and she greets kind cats with polite head bumps and sweetness. For the first time in her life, she has discovered the joy of playing with toys—feathers and tiny mice—and watching her learn to play feels like witnessing happiness unfold in real time.
Emily has so much love to give—quiet, grateful, wholehearted love—the kind that can only come from a soul who fought to live and is finally ready to belong.
Emily is not simply a rescue story. She is a small miracle in bloom, waiting for the moment she can give her heart completely to someone who will cherish it forever.
Emily is FIV positive—and it doesn’t slow her down one bit. Cats with FIV can live long, happy, completely normal lives, especially as cherished indoor companions. What Emily needs is not special treatment, but the same things every beloved cat deserves: love, routine veterinary care, good nutrition, and a safe home. She is healthy, vibrant, and entirely ready to begin her next chapter
Emily — 2 years old survivor, FIV+, second chance at love
When we first saw Emily on the street, our hearts sank.
She was desperately trying to eat from a trash can, driven purely by hunger and the instinct to survive. But as we looked closer, it became clear she had endured something almost unimaginable. Large areas of skin were missing beneath her neck and along parts of her body, leaving severe, extensive wounds that spoke of deep suffering. We may never know what caused them—whether cruelty, chemicals, or something else entirely—but what mattered most in that moment was simple and undeniable: Emily still wanted to live.
She walked into the trap quickly, not out of defeat, but because a small part of her believed help might finally exist. She was terrified, shocked, and exhausted. Several veterinarians gently suggested euthanasia, describing her as “feral” and unlikely to be manageable after such trauma.
But when we looked at Emily, we saw something different. We saw fight, we saw hope, and we knew she deserved the chance to prove who she truly was.
So the long healing journey began.
Every single day, Emily took her medicine like a quiet warrior—even before she allowed human touch. Because Emily is FIV positive, her recovery required extra time, patience, and careful support, and her healing journey moved more slowly than most. Yet she faced every treatment with quiet strength. Gradually, day by day, she began to trust again. And truthfully, we believe she must have known kindness once before, because beneath the pain and fear was never a feral heart, but a deeply affectionate, gentle soul waiting for safety to return.
Today, Emily is fully healed. Some scars remain, and certain patches of fur may never grow back, but none of that defines her. What defines Emily is the astonishing amount of love she carries inside her. Now that she is not any more pain, and she feels comfortable, she has blossomed into the most affectionate and gentle cat! She now settles into laps for comfort and affection, making biscuits everywhere she stands—even on the hard floor—simply from hearing soft, loving words. When you call her, she comes running, grateful for every kindness. She is wonderfully food-motivated and always says thank you by rubbing gently against your legs after dinner.
Her voice is as tender as her spirit. Emily has the softest little “ah” meow, as if she is quietly answering you, and she returns your gaze with slow blinks full of trust. She loves baskets, plush blankets, and peaceful naps, and she greets kind cats with polite head bumps and sweetness. For the first time in her life, she has discovered the joy of playing with toys—feathers and tiny mice—and watching her learn to play feels like witnessing happiness unfold in real time.
Emily has so much love to give—quiet, grateful, wholehearted love—the kind that can only come from a soul who fought to live and is finally ready to belong.
Emily is not simply a rescue story. She is a small miracle in bloom, waiting for the moment she can give her heart completely to someone who will cherish it forever.
Emily is FIV positive—and it doesn’t slow her down one bit. Cats with FIV can live long, happy, completely normal lives, especially as cherished indoor companions. What Emily needs is not special treatment, but the same things every beloved cat deserves: love, routine veterinary care, good nutrition, and a safe home. She is healthy, vibrant, and entirely ready to begin her next chapter
Please submit a cat adoption application here
https://tinyurl.com/LLARadopt
2.
Interview
Once your application has been reviewed and approved, we will reach out to you to schedule a virtual meeting and/or in person meeting
3.
Meet the Pet
Optional, you can schedule an in person meeting to meet the pet at their foster home
4.
Home Check
You will be asked to send us a short video with a brief home tour.
5.
Sign Adoption Contract
6.
Pay Fee
7.
Take the Pet Home
Additional adoption info
We are a foster based rescue organization. To meet our adoptable pets submit and adoption application and once approved we will schedule a meet and greet session at their foster home
We are a foster based rescue organization. To meet our adoptable pets submit and adoption application and once approved we will schedule a meet and greet session at their foster home
The mission of Little Lives Animal Rescue is to reduce unnecessary euthanasia rates and improve the lives of cats and dogs through medical care, sterilization, and adoption.
Main activities are:
1) the humane practice of trap-neuter-return (TNR), which is designed to reduce feral and stray cat overpopulation,
2) connecting injured animals with needed medical care,
3) providing friendly animals with safe foster homes until adoption,
4) community outreach and education about responsibility for appropriate animal care.
The mission of Little Lives Animal Rescue is to reduce unnecessary euthanasia rates and improve the lives of cats and dogs through medical care, sterilization, and adoption.
Main activities are:
1) the humane practice of trap-neuter-return (TNR), which is designed to reduce feral and stray cat overpopulation,
2) connecting injured animals with needed medical care,
3) providing friendly animals with safe foster homes until adoption,
4) community outreach and education about responsibility for appropriate animal care.
Other pets at this
rescue
We'll also keep you updated on Roxie (Happy Little Shadow)'s adoption status with email updates.
