Adorable Kitten Looks Ridiculously Like A Grandpa

Little Old Man Kitty

Elana

• Published in Animal Stories
• July 19, 2021

Stephanie Medrano is a foster parent for Stray Cat Alliance, a nonprofit organization in Los Angeles that has served thousands of stray and feral cats since the late 90's. Medrano was the one to take in a desperate kitten in need, born with a cleft palate and twisted hind legs.

The kitten had originally been brought to the veterinarian shortly after birth because the original owners were concerned about his health, and the veterinarian recommended euthanasia. Still, the kitten seemed eager to eat so even with the harsh news about a low-chance of a fulfilling life the owners wanted to do something to help.

Thankfully, through the help of a friend, the owners were able to surrender the kitten to Stephanie with the support of Stray Cat Alliance.

Health report aside, Stephanie immediately noticed something else peculiar about the newborn kitten: he had the face of an little, old man.

In an interview with Bored Panda, Stephanie said:

“It’s hard to describe how I felt when I first saw Grandpa. I foster day-old kittens all the time but I knew instantly that he was special. His name just came naturally with his little smushed face and calm demeanor.”

The distinctive facial features inspired Stephanie to name the tiny kitten Grandpa. She told The Dodo:

“When I foster kittens, I try to give them funny names like Turtle or Starfish, but when Grandpa was handed to me, that was the first name I thought of when I saw his little face."

She added:

“I had no idea it would be such a hit and [would] actually match his personality so much.”

She also told The Dodo:

“For the most part, he’s slow-moving and gentle. He will just sit up and stare out into space. He enjoys getting his fur brushed with a toothbrush.”

When he first arrived, it was determined that Grandpa was "still too young to have his cleft palate surgery," and they had to tube feed him until he got older.

Stephanie told Bored Panda:

"His right leg has made a lot of improvement with the constant massages and currently has a small splint on his toes. The left leg on the other hand did not make any further improvement and the vet has determined that his bone is also twisted. The left twisted leg will be left alone for now, further evaluation will be done when he is older.”

Time has passed, over four months, and Grandpa still lives with Stephanie, but that's no mystery! She told Bored Panda:

“The day I got Grandpa I told myself I would not keep him, 4 weeks later and I can’t imagine giving him up to another family. I know we have a long road ahead and a lot of work to be done. He’s already home!”

As many fosters before her have said, fostering is hard. It's a tough life, especially when it comes to special needs cats and kittens. But Stephanie is really cut out for it.

She told Bored Panda:

“I foster kittens in need. I have fostered kittens with ruptured eyes, broken limbs, and other congenital issues. When I was told he had twisted legs I knew I could help him. I agreed instantly over the phone without any other knowledge of his condition."

"When I was told he would possibly be euthanized I knew I at least had to try.”

"I think about him all the time, not only because he’s adorable but because I constantly stress about his health. All totally worth it! I have a support system of friends and family and now his little Instagram family who don’t miss a post!”

Here's how you can keep up with or even help Gramps & Stray Cat Alliance:

Instagram | Amazon Wishlist | Stray Cat Alliance

Elana