“It looked like they were making a little heart with their hands.” ❤️
In a quiet corner of a South Carolina animal shelter, a small, tender moment stopped one staff member in her tracks—and reminded everyone just how powerful connection can be, even between the tiniest paws.
Meet Colleen, a bright, affectionate 13-week-old kitten currently living at the Humane Society of York County. From the moment she arrived, Colleen stood out—not only for her outgoing personality, but also because she doesn’t have a tail.
Humane Society of York County
Shelter staff aren’t entirely sure how Colleen lost it. It doesn’t appear to be something she was born with, but with little information about her life before arriving at the shelter, her past remains a mystery. What is certain is that her missing tail hasn’t slowed her down one bit.
Colleen is a social butterfly through and through.
“She’s definitely a playful little gal,” said Vicki, a rescue attendant at HSYC, in an interview with The Dodo. Whether she’s chasing toys or curling up beside another kitten, Colleen seems happiest when she’s surrounded by friends.
She takes every opportunity to snuggle with the other kittens in the shelter, often seeking out companionship even through the bars of neighboring kennels. And it was during one routine check-in that Vicki witnessed something unforgettable.
As she walked into the cat room one day, Vicki noticed Colleen sitting quietly beside another kitten named Pedro Pascal. Each was in a separate kennel—but their paws were gently reaching through the bars, touching and resting together.
Humane Society of York County
“I just stopped,” Vicki said. “It was so cute. It looked like they were making a little heart with their hands.”
While kittens often bat at each other or play through kennel doors, this moment was different. There was no roughhousing, no playful swatting. Just stillness.
“They were just laying there with their hands together,” Vicki explained. “They weren’t playing. They were just enjoying each other’s presence.”
Although Colleen and Pedro weren’t littermates, they had clearly formed a meaningful bond—one that spoke volumes in a single, silent gesture. Sadly, that bond didn’t last forever. Pedro was soon adopted, leaving Colleen behind at the shelter.
\Humane Society of York County
Thankfully, Colleen didn’t let the loss dampen her spirit. She quickly found comfort among her other feline friends, continuing to seek out connection wherever she could. Her affectionate nature remains one of her strongest traits.
Because of that, shelter staff encourage potential adopters to consider bringing home two kittens instead of one.
“We always tell people—if you’re going to get kittens, you should get two,” Vicki said. “It’s not about pushing more kittens. They genuinely do better together.”
Despite her charm, Colleen has been overlooked as younger kittens continue to arrive at the shelter. Still, everyone at HSYC knows just how special she is. She’s already spayed, up to date on all her vaccinations, and ready to go home—all she needs now is a family, and ideally, a feline friend to share it with.
Humane Society of York County
“She’s kind of the best of both worlds,” Vicki said. “She’s playful and silly, full of energy—but she’s also a huge cuddle bug.”
Colleen’s story is a gentle reminder that love doesn’t always need words. Sometimes, it’s just two tiny paws reaching out through metal bars, forming a heart where you least expect it—and reminding us all why these connections matter so much. 🐾💖
