They knew the heartbreaking reason why …
Tiny Moo’s journey to safety began when he was found abandoned and brought to Wonky Hearts Animal Haven. The rescue team had seen many neglected animals before, but Moo stood out immediately — his entire body was coated in paint.
“When I first arrived, everyone was crying,” the rescue wrote in Moo’s adoption profile. “But I was just so happy to meet people that I hopped right out of the carrier and ran over to give kisses to everyone I could.”
The paint told a disturbing story. Rescuers suspected Moo may have been a victim of an inhumane practice tied to dog-fighting rings. In such cases, kittens are sometimes used as bait, with their fur dyed or painted bright colors to make them stand out.
“It’s sadly more common than people think,” said Megan Mannarelli-Martin of Wonky Hearts Animal Haven in an interview with The Dodo.
On top of the paint, Moo was severely underweight, his little body reduced to skin and bones. Despite his poor condition, he purred, snuggled, and sought affection, overjoyed to finally be safe. “He reminded me of a beloved stuffed animal I had as a child — scruffy, sweet, and impossible not to love,” Mannarelli-Martin recalled.
Getting the paint off was far from easy. The team tried gentle, cat-safe oils and multiple baths, but after three days they still hadn’t made progress. “We eventually accepted defeat with the home remedies,” she said. In the end, it took fifteen baths and a much-needed haircut before Moo’s fur was finally clean.
That’s when his true personality blossomed. “He became this little ball of energy,” Mannarelli-Martin said. “But for every burst of playfulness, he had just as much love to give. He’s the ultimate snugglebug.”
Now fully recovered, Moo is searching for his forever home — one where his affectionate nature can shine every day. “If you’re someone who needs constant love and cuddles,” Mannarelli-Martin said with a smile, “Moo will be your very own teddy bear.”