From Lost to Loved: Kale’s Remarkable Return

When Joseph’s family moved to Minnesota, they expected the stress of unpacking and settling in—but they never imagined their shy, beloved cat Kale would suddenly disappear.

Kale and his sister Melinda had been with Joseph for seven years. Both were timid by nature, but deeply loved. So when Kale vanished just days after the move, panic set in. The family searched every corner of the house—every closet, every cabinet, every shadowed space where a frightened cat might hide. When the internet technician came and went, they feared Kale had slipped out the door into an unfamiliar neighborhood.

Days turned into weeks. They set up cameras. They checked every room again and again. But there were no paw prints. No meows. No Kale.

Joseph had begun to lose hope.

Then, nearly a month later, something incredible happened. Kale was found in the cabinet under the laundry room sink—skinny, silent, his eyes crusted shut. Somehow, against all odds, he had survived—likely trapped behind a wall in the unfamiliar house, too weak to cry out. He was severely malnourished, had a wound on his back, and his condition would have to be managed very carefully in the beginning.

Kale was rushed to a nearby emergency clinic and later his family brought him to Mission Animal Hospital for continued supportive treatment, fluids, and the recommended NG tube placement at a cost accessible to his family.

Our team welcomed Joseph and Kale with open arms. Joseph recalls how kind and respectful the staff were, greeting them warmly, checking on Kale’s progress, and explaining options with compassion and honesty. Even with financial constraints, Joseph felt supported by the transparency around costs and assistance programs.

With gentle hands our medical team began the work of helping Kale heal. And heal he did.

Kale steadily gained weight, his coat regained its shine, and his eyes grew bright and clear. He is eating well, exploring his new home again, and—perhaps most touching of all—he now comes to Joseph for pets and affection, transforming from a shy cat into a loving companion.

Today, Kale is safe, loved, and back where he belongs—with the family who adores him. 

Because of the support of generous donors like you, we’re able to help kitties like Kale—pets whose care must be managed carefully, whose families face financial hardship, and who still deserve every chance to heal and return home.