A cat foster carer captured the moment her orange kitty realized he was finally safe, and internet users can’t stop crying over it.
The heartwarming clip shared on TikTok on Wednesday under the username @larriecynn, shows the tiny orange kitten lying on a mattress on the floor covered in fuzzy blankets, looking at his reflection in the mirror as he realizes he’s finally in a safe place.
“When you were rescued from a busy street 48 hours ago…” the caption says. “The burp gets me every time.”
The outdoor as a whole is generally unsafe for cats—and especially for kittens—but the worst place for them to be is out on the road, where cars, often going very fast, may not always see them leading to fatal accidents.
It is estimated that over 5.4 million cats are hit by cars each year the United States, and about 97 percent of those cats die from their injuries.
A deadly as they can be, cars are not the only danger that cats face when outdoors. While outdoor exposure may seem beneficial for a cat, unsupervised roaming significantly shortens their lifespan compared with indoor living because of many hazards.
Outdoor cats also face extreme temperatures that can cause hypothermia or heatstroke. They can encounter wildlife and other cats, leading to injury or disease and also harm local ecosystems.
They are also exposed to parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria, including infections like tapeworms or feline leukemia, and fleas or ticks if not properly prevented. Toxins such as pesticides, fertilizers, and poisons are a danger, as is severe weather or natural disasters with no shelter.
Finally, cats can get lost, and without identification may not return home. Supervised outdoor time with a harness, leash, or secure enclosure is safer.
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 866,400 views and 234,800 likes on the platform.
One user, Ash, commented: “Sometimes in situations like this, I wonder just how much their little brains think ‘wow, it’s so much more quiet in here than where I was before’ and the relief they must feel.”
Catrewritten_ said: “I’d have no choice but to name him Oliver and keep him forever.”
Drunkardz added: “It always hurts me to think how scared and alone they were out there. Not being able to play without worrying about their safety. They deserve so much love.”
Newsweek reached out to @larriecynn for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.
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