How to care for animals
Khrystynka was hurrying home. The rain was pounding against her umbrella, puddles were flying from under her shoes. She had almost reached the entrance when she stopped.
Under the concrete canopy, in the driest corner, sat a small gray kitten. Wet through and through—only its nose and green eyes were visible from the lump of wet fur. The eyes were large, frightened, and staring straight at Khrystynka.
She reached out her hand. The kitten didn't flinch—it just tensed.
«Take it home? What if mom says no? What if it’s sick? What if it has owners?» Thoughts swirled. Khrystyna sat on the step right in the rain — the umbrella provided some protection — and looked at the kitten.
Then two small figures moved onto the visor above the entrance. An owl with glasses and a squirrel with an acorn looked down at her from above, patiently and warmly.
“Don’t you know what to do?” asked Sofiyka.
“I want to help, but I’m afraid of doing something wrong,” Khrystynka replied.
"That's a good start," said Owl. "Let's figure it out together.".
🦉 Lesson from Sofiyka
1. First, ask the adults.
The first thing to do is go to your mom, dad, or another adult you trust and tell them about what you found. Not because adults always say «no.» But because they can help: find out if the kitten has owners, take it to the vet, find a temporary shelter. Caring starts with a conversation.
2. Do not pick up a wild or stray animal with your bare hands.
Khrystynka stopped her hand correctly. An animal may be frightened and bite or scratch — not out of anger, but out of fear. If an animal is hurt or sick, it should only be picked up with a glove or through a cloth. Always ask an adult before touching an unfamiliar animal.
"I touched a hedgehog once," Solomiyka said quickly, "and it curled up into a ball. I was more scared than it was!" And then Mom explained that it was just defending itself.
3. Side view: maybe there are owners?
Not every animal on the street is homeless. The kitten could have escaped from a neighbor's apartment or gotten lost. Before taking it home, it's worth asking your neighbors, looking at the ads in the entrance, asking adults to check in neighborhood chat rooms. It's a good deed to return your pet to those who miss him.
4. You can help without "taking it home"«
If mom or dad are not ready for a pet at home yet, it's not the end. You can bring food and water right to the place. You can make a temporary warm corner out of a box and an old sweater (with the permission of adults). You can write to the shelter or help find people who will take the pet. Caring is not only about "taking it", but also "not abandoning it".
"I know a squirrel whose neighbors left nuts on her windowsill every winter," Solomiyka said dreamily, pressing the acorn to her chest. "She didn't live there, but she knew there were good hearts there.".
5. An animal is a responsibility every day
If adults agree to take the animal - joy! But it is important to remember: an animal needs care every day, even when you are tired or want to play something else. Food, water, cleanliness, a doctor, games, affection - all this is not "sometimes", but always. An animal cannot say "I am hungry" or "I am sad". It trusts you completely.
6. A veterinarian is not scary, it's caring
Any animal from the street should be taken to a veterinarian. Even if it looks healthy. The veterinarian will check for diseases, give the necessary vaccinations, tell you what to feed and how to care for it. This is not a punishment for the animal - it is protection for both it and you.
“A veterinarian is an animal’s best friend!” exclaimed Solomiyka and raised the acorn up like a flag.
7. Compassion is a strength, not a weakness.
The fact that Khrystynka stopped in the rain and didn't walk past is very important. Noticing someone else's pain and not turning away is no small thing. This is what a good heart is. Such people make the world warmer — for animals, for people, for everyone around them. Keep this ability in yourself.
Khrystynka decided. She took the briefcase, but first she took off her scarf and carefully placed it next to the kitten — to keep it warmer while she left.
"I'll be right back. You're not alone," she whispered.
The kitten blinked its green eyes and squeaked more softly.
Khrystynka ran upstairs, shouting from behind the door: "Mom! There's a little wet kitten!"
Mom came down. They called the vet. The kitten turned out to be healthy — just hungry and scared. The owners were nowhere to be found.
A few days later, it was sleeping on Khrystynka's bed, humming like a little motor. She named it Cloud because she found it in the rain. A small paw print, resembling a star, remained on the window sill.
Sofiyka believes in you. And Solomiyka too. 🦉🐿️