Couple’s Rescue of Abandoned Kitten Hange Melts Hearts in Viral TikTok

As cat parents, we know the overwhelming urge to help a tiny creature in need, and for Sabera Qazi and Brian Baigorria, that moment came when they found a shivering kitten crying for help.

In November 2023, the couple rescued a frail, month-old kitten with sealed-shut eyes from a cold porch, naming her Hange after a beloved anime character. Their heartwarming journey, shared on TikTok (@saberaq), has gone viral with over 2.2 million views, inspiring pet lovers everywhere.

Here’s Hange’s story, plus tips for rescuing and caring for abandoned kittens.

A Tiny Kitten’s Cry for Help

In November 2023, Sabera Qazi and Brian Baigorria, both 28, spotted a tiny kitten and her mother on the porch of Brian’s parents’ home in California. Assuming the stray pair was safe together, they left them be.

But the next day, Brian returned to find the kitten alone, “crying” by the door, unable to navigate the stairs. He gently moved her to a grassy area, hoping her mother would return, but by the following day, she was back, pressed against the door, meowing nonstop.

“Her eyes were sealed shut with infection, and she was meowing nonstop,” Sabera told Snugglesouls. With icy rain forecast and freezing temperatures, Brian couldn’t leave her.

He brought her inside, and the couple rushed her to a vet, where she received flea treatment, antibiotics for her eyes and sinuses, kitten formula, and her first vaccinations. Estimated to be just a month old, the kitten needed urgent care.

“When the vet asked us for her name, we chose Hange, inspired by a character from Attack on Titan,” Sabera said. “In that moment, it felt almost inevitable that she would stay with us.”

Though newlyweds of two months, hesitant about the responsibilities of pet ownership, Sabera and Brian couldn’t resist Hange’s affection. “She wanted to explore everything, and it was clear she had already chosen us as much as we had chosen her,” Sabera shared.

@saberaq
meet Hange🥹 Last week we saw this little baby left by herself outside, eyes crusted shut and crying. We decided to leave her alone incase there was a mom who was coming back, but the next day she was still in the exact same spot. The weather predicted freezing rain for that day so we knew we had to do something. The cat distribution system clearly chooses you. #cat #kitten #kitty #kittensoftiktok #catdistributionsystem #babykitten #foundkitten
♬ My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski

Hange’s Transformation and Viral Fame

Hange quickly blossomed in her new home, growing from a fragile stray to a sassy, curious cat with a love for exploration and a quirky habit of shaking her paw when displeased.

“There have been times I pet her or give her forehead kisses only for her to look me right in the eyes and shake her paw at me,” Sabera laughed.

Now thriving alongside her younger feline brother, Anakin, Hange enjoys playing, lounging, and snoozing.

Inspired by a TikTok trend showcasing pet adoption stories, Sabera posted Hange’s journey, which exploded with 2.2 million views and 495,200 likes.

The post, featuring photos of Hange’s rescue and recovery, drew over 4,000 comments, with users saying, “These videos break my heart yet give me joy all at the same time,” and “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for loving this baby.”

Hange’s story echoes other rescue tales, like Fleece and Flannel’s orphaned litter, showing the power of compassion.

Hange as a kitten and pictured laying in her bed now

Caring for Abandoned Kittens Like Hange

Rescuing a kitten like Hange requires quick action and careful attention, especially for young, vulnerable felines. Here are tips for pet parents who find an abandoned kitten:

Act Quickly: If a kitten is alone and distressed, like Hange, get them to a vet immediately for a health check, vaccinations, and treatments for issues like fleas or infections.
Keep Them Warm: Young kittens can’t regulate body temperature. Use a heating pad on low, wrapped in towels, as advised in our kitten fostering guide.
Feed Properly: Bottle-feed with kitten formula every 2-3 hours, avoiding cow’s milk. Consult a vet for guidance, as Sabera and Brian did.
Monitor Health: Watch for signs of illness, like sealed eyes or lethargy, and seek prompt veterinary care to address infections or parasites.
Contact Rescues: If you can’t keep the kitten, connect with local shelters or rescues, like A Place for Meow Rescue or Arrow’s Heart Animal Rescue, for fostering or adoption support.

For more on rescuing kittens, see our guide to helping stray cats.

The Impact of Compassionate Rescue

Hange’s transformation from a sickly, abandoned kitten to a thriving, sassy cat highlights the life-changing impact of rescue. Sabera and Brian, despite their initial hesitation, found that “taking in Hange turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made.”

Their story inspires us to act with empathy when we encounter animals in need, whether it’s a kitten like Hange or a litter like Nibbler’s abandoned family.

Takeaway for Pet Parents

If you find a struggling kitten like Hange, don’t hesitate to step in—your care could save a life and bring unexpected joy, just as it did for Sabera and Brian. Support local rescues to give more kittens a chance at a loving home.

FAQ

Q: What should I do if I find an abandoned kitten like Hange?

Take the kitten to a vet for immediate care, keep them warm, and feed them kitten formula. Contact a local rescue if you can’t care for them long-term.

Q: How can I tell if a kitten needs urgent help?

Signs like sealed eyes, constant crying, lethargy, or fleas, as seen with Hange, indicate a need for prompt veterinary attention to address infections or malnutrition.