Sometimes the smallest decisions end up changing everything.
That is exactly what happened when Lori White, a volunteer with ARPO in Indianapolis, walked into her local shelter for what she thought would be a routine visit.
Lori already had several foster kittens waiting for her at home. She wasn’t planning on taking in another, but fate clearly had other plans.
As she walked through the shelter, she noticed a cage that instantly caught her eye.
Inside was a tiny kitten, barely seven weeks old, marked with the word “immediate.”
In shelter language, that usually means there’s no more space, and the animal’s time is running out.
The kitten, later named Lavender, was small but full of life.
She weighed just over two pounds, but the energy radiating from her little body filled the entire room.
Lori reached out her hand, and in that instant, Lavender began to purr so loudly it almost drowned out the background noise of the shelter.
That was all it took. One touch, one purr, and Lori knew she couldn’t just walk away.
She hadn’t planned to take another foster, but her heart wouldn’t let her leave Lavender behind.
She scooped her up and brought her into her care, starting with her office.
At first, Lavender was tucked into a small bed near Lori’s desk, still under quarantine before meeting the other animals.
But it didn’t take long for her personality to shine. Instead of sitting quietly, Lavender decided she was going to be Lori’s new “assistant.”
She climbed onto her lap, tapped at her hands, and made every attempt to be the center of attention.
Work may have slowed down for Lori, but joy filled the room.
Lavender hopped around with boundless energy, her bright blue eyes taking in every detail of her new surroundings.
She purred constantly, a soft reminder that she was safe at last.
For Lori, it was impossible not to laugh. “Lavender probably has the bluest eyes of any kitten I have seen,” she shared later. “She purrs at all times and is quite the hopper.”
It wasn’t just Lori who noticed the change.
The moment Lavender left the shelter, she blossomed. She became playful, mischievous, and wonderfully chaotic.
When the time finally came for her to meet the resident cats, she didn’t hesitate for a second.
Lavender ran straight into the mix, zooming from room to room and letting everyone know she was in charge, despite her tiny size.
The dogs in the house weren’t spared either.
Lavender confidently greeted one of them with nose taps and playful wrestling moves.
She darted around the kitchen, causing a delightful mess, while her canine friend simply looked on, amused by her antics.
It was clear Lavender was thriving. She was no longer the kitten stuck in a cage with an “immediate” note on her file.
She was now a force of nature, filling her foster home with laughter, warmth, and energy.
And then came the moment that would complete her story.
A family visited, curious to meet the little ball of energy. Everyone waited to see how Lavender would react, and in true Lavender fashion, she turned on her charm at full power.
She climbed onto laps, purred without pause, and made sure her personality shone through. It worked.
The family instantly fell in love, especially their young son, who couldn’t imagine leaving without her.
Lori shared that the boy even had a room set up just for Lavender, complete with cat trees and sunny window perches.
It was the perfect place for her to continue her zooming, climbing, and playful chaos.
Her adoption became official, and with it came her new name: Kellyn Lavender.
Despite all her wild energy, Lavender has a sweetness that balances her mischievous streak.
“Despite all of her craziness, she is very sweet and always brings a laugh,” Lori explained with pride.
From a cage marked “immediate” to a sunroom filled with love, Lavender’s story shows how one act of kindness can completely change a life.
Lori stepped in at the right moment, and now Lavender has a forever home where she can live out her days as the adored family cat she was always meant to be.
For Lori, it was never part of the plan. But sometimes, the best things happen when you don’t plan at all.