On an icy cold Valentine’s Day in Canada, a stray cat pawed at the back door of the right house.

Little did Aslan the cat know, but on the other side of the door was a devoted cat lover who spent her time volunteering for One Cat at a Time, a kitten rescue in Quebec.

When Jaelle saw the orange tabby cat in her backyard, she rushed for the door and let the sad cat into her home. Aslan was sick, covered in fleas, and freezing, so Jaelle asked One Cat At a Time founder Marie Simard for help.

Marie told Love Meow, “Our rescue specializes in orphan kittens, but he was asking to be saved at the door and we couldn’t leave him outside. We tried to find the owner but there was no microchip. He was around 6-7 years old, not neutered and nobody was looking for him. Most likely, he was abandoned outside by previous owners a long time ago.”

One Cat at a Time/Facebook

Sick and Scarred, But So Grateful

Once at the vet, the extent of Aslan’s abandonment could be seen. From nose to tail, the sweet boy was suffering from a respiratory infection, rotting teeth, parasites, scars, and matted fur. Plus, he was FIV+ after having to fight for his survival.

He received medicine and a shave to alleviate the pain caused by his matted fur. But through all the poking and prodding, the darling orange tabby offered love and purrs to those caring for him. Aslan would need dental surgery and a neuter, but he first needed time to get back on his paws before surgery could happen.

Jaelle gladly took Aslan as a foster cat and there he began to thrive. Marie shared, “He is so kind and loving. He purrs with gratitude and he is really happy to be an indoor cat again.”

It wasn’t long before Jaelle knew Aslan would be her ‘foster fail’. His new kitty sister, Cleo, knew it too. Cleo and Aslan bonded right away and through their love and snuggles, she helped her brother heal and grow strong.

One Cat at a Time/Facebook

Not only was he happy to be inside and safe, Aslan also found joy in belonging to a family. “He loves people (and other cats) and asks for hugs all the time. It is clear that this beautiful cat has had a family before.”