From fragile to fearless

Jun 27, 2025

Found alone in a busy intersection with a rupturing eye and fighting to survive, tiny Edith needed urgent help. Thanks to donor support, she received lifesaving care at PAWS Chicago—and found the loving home she always deserved.

When a tiny black-and-white kitten was brought to the PAWS Chicago Nan & Wayne Kocourek Medical Center, our team could see immediately that she was in critical condition. The person who found her said she had been alone in the middle of a busy intersection—no mother, no siblings, and clearly in distress. She was severely underweight, battling a painful upper respiratory infection, and one of her eyes was dangerously swollen, teetering on the brink of rupture. 

She was just a few weeks old—far too young to be without her mother—but it was clear she had already been on her own for some time. We named her Edith, and thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, we were able to act quickly. 

Our expert medical team watched her closely, helping her build up strength in the critical first days of her rescue. Once she reached a safe weight, Edith underwent enucleation surgery to remove her damaged eye and relieve her of the constant pain and pressure she had been enduring. 

As she healed, Edith’s playful personality began to shine. With only one eye, she still navigated the world with confidence and curiosity—chasing wand toys, climbing cat trees, and curling up in laps like she’d been doing it all her life. 

Today, Edith is thriving in a loving adoptive home, where she’s cherished not for what she’s been through, but for the sweet and spirited cat she’s become. 

Edith’s story is just one example of how your support saves lives. From emergency medical care and surgery to foster support and adoption, every step of Edith’s journey was made possible by people like you. Thank you for being part of the PAWS Chicago community—and for giving vulnerable animals like Edith the chance to heal, grow, and find the love they deserve.