Meet Kimchi and Wasabi, the dynamic duo of tabby kittens who went from hissing and hiding to purring nonstop, all thanks to the care and patience of their foster mom, Asa.
These two cuties started their journey in the care of the Animal Welfare League of Arlington after being born to a feral cat. Terrified of people due to their limited human contact, Kimchi and Wasabi needed a loving foster home to help them come out of their shells.
Asa, a dedicated foster volunteer, took on the challenge to provide them with the comfort and socialization they desperately needed. In the beginning, both kittens were quite shy, with Wasabi even resorting to hissing and spitting.
“After letting them decompress the first day, I started working on socializing them from day two,” Asa shared.
To ease them into human interaction, Asa spent quality time with the kittens, combining the sounds of movies and her gentle voice. She accompanied them during meals to establish trust and, of course, treated them to plenty of snacks.
The breakthrough came when Kimchi, the braver of the two, allowed Asa to pet her, turning on her purr motor for the first time. She even climbed into Asa’s lap, showing a newfound comfort.
Wasabi, initially more reserved, had personalized sessions with Asa, wrapped and cuddled in a soft towel. With time, patience, and some “purrito” time, Wasabi began to trust Asa, revealing her purring side.
“It took a lot of time and patience, but we’ve finally had a breakthrough,” Asa said.
Three weeks into foster care, Wasabi’s transformation continued, and she discovered her purr, greeting Asa with newfound affection.
“I’m still in disbelief over her (seemingly overnight) transformation. We’re definitely headed in the right direction,” Asa shared.
Now, Wasabi approaches Asa for attention, no longer hissy and afraid. Kimchi, the silent-meow extraordinaire, has become a social butterfly, befriending other residents, both feline and canine.
With each passing day, Wasabi grows more comfortable, and Asa remains optimistic about her continued progress.
These tabby siblings have come a long way, and with Asa’s love and care, they’re on the path to becoming confident and happy cats.
