When rescuers first found him, Ziggy looked like a cat who had given up.
The tiny Persian was discovered alone in a busy parking lot, scruffy, frail, and barely able to open his eyes.
At first glance, he looked like he had no fight left in him.
But as it turned out, this fragile little kitten had a spark inside that just needed the right care to shine.
The team at Little Cats Lost Society described him as one of the sickliest and most pitiful cats they had ever seen.
Beneath his dirty fur and weak frame, though, they suspected there was something special waiting to be revealed.
Ziggy’s biggest struggle was a severe case of ringworm, a fungal infection that left him itchy, sore, and miserable.
His eyes were so gummed up from the condition that he could hardly keep them open.
For a kitten who weighed just three pounds, the ordeal was overwhelming.
That was when Erin McDonald, an experienced foster volunteer, stepped in.
She heard about Ziggy’s condition and immediately offered to help.
The moment she laid eyes on him, she knew the little cat needed someone who would not give up.
“It was determined he needed a placement with an experienced caregiver, with an isolation area. So of course I said yes,” Erin explained.
Taking him home meant a lot of responsibility.
Because of his infection, Ziggy had to stay separated from Erin’s other pets, and she had to wear protective gear whenever she cared for him.
But none of that mattered. What stood out most was the look in his eyes.
“He was so small, only three pounds, but his eyes were bright and full of wonder. My heart broke for him,” Erin recalled.
Even in his fragile state, Ziggy showed his true personality almost immediately.
He adored snuggles and craved human affection.
Despite his pain, he purred, curled up in Erin’s lap, and leaned into the comfort she offered.
It was clear that this little kitten had been waiting for someone to give him a reason to hope.
With medication and twice-weekly medicated baths, the healing process slowly began.
Each treatment helped ease his discomfort, and before long, the results were undeniable.
His fur looked healthier, his eyes opened wide, and his energy returned.
For the first time in what was likely his entire life, Ziggy began to feel like himself.
The best moment came when Ziggy was finally declared free of the infection, at least for the time being.
That meant he could leave isolation and join Erin’s other pets.
The change was instant.
“This seems to be the first time he’s been in a house. So it was all new,” Erin said.
“He adapted well, and my other cats seem to like his company. He began to play and explore more. He slept with me for the first few nights.”
For a cat who had once looked so defeated, Ziggy was now full of life.
He explored every corner, made friends with the other cats, and followed Erin everywhere.
His eyes, once heavy with pain, now shone brightly with curiosity and joy.
But just when everything seemed to be going perfectly, Erin noticed new spots on his skin. The infection was not fully gone after all.
It was a setback, but not one that could erase the progress Ziggy had made.
“He follows me around always. We’re really seeing who he is now,” Erin said.
Even with the possibility that his condition might never completely clear, Erin remains committed to giving Ziggy the best life possible.
She knows it may be harder to find him a permanent home, but until that day comes, he will always be safe with her.
“I am quite optimistic about his future, but we may be facing the reality that he will never be clear of the infection. This could mean it would be hard to find him a home to live in,” Erin admitted.
Ziggy may not be the picture of a “perfect” cat, but to Erin and the people following his story, he is extraordinary.
His resilience, his affectionate spirit, and his incredible transformation prove that even the most broken-looking animals can thrive when given a chance.
For now, Ziggy continues to heal, surrounded by care and love.
His journey may not be straightforward, but it is nothing short of inspiring.
And who knows, maybe the right family will see his story and realize that he is exactly the cat they have been waiting for.
Until then, Erin will be there for him, ensuring that Ziggy always has a safe place to call home.
Because sometimes, all it takes is someone to believe in you before the world sees what you are truly capable of.