When Carmen Weinberg pulled into a mobile home park in West Palm Beach, Florida, she wasn’t expecting her day to take a heart-wrenching turn.
Founder of the Animal Friends Project, Carmen often visits areas known to be hangouts for stray cats, hoping to help where she can.
But nothing quite prepared her for what she was about to find.
She hadn’t been to this particular mobile park in a while, but something told her it was time for a check-in.
As soon as she arrived, local residents pointed her towards a tiny figure, barely moving, curled up, and completely helpless.
It was a kitten. Alone, freezing, and clinging to life.
“I wasn’t planning to take in any more kittens,” Carmen admitted. Her house was already full of rescues, and she was stretched thin.
But one look at the kitten, and that decision went out the window.
He was so cold, Carmen said she could feel the chill in his tiny body as she picked him up. No one had stopped to help before she came.
“This little boy was lucky I went there that day,” she shared.
With no time to waste, she wrapped the kitten gently and rushed him into her car.
Credit: animalfriendsproject/ instagram.com
She switched on a heating pad to warm him up during the ride home, hoping it wasn’t too late.
The kitten’s condition was heartbreaking. His eyes were completely crusted shut. His ribs were visible through his fragile frame.
And to make matters worse, he was covered in fleas. Carmen knew he wouldn’t have survived much longer out there.
Back at home, she got to work. The first step was a warm bath, something soothing but crucial to remove the fleas that were draining his already-weak body.
She carefully cleaned his eyes, revealing the face of a kitten who hadn’t seen the world in days.
She named him Liam.
Credit: animalfriendsproject/ instagram.com
Wrapped in fresh blankets and finally flea-free, Liam curled up with a soft plush toy that Carmen placed beside him. He was clean.
He was warm. And for the first time in who knows how long, he had a full belly.
“He purred himself to sleep,” Carmen said, watching over him. Even in such a fragile state, Liam showed signs of something remarkable, fight.
But Liam wasn’t the only one in trouble. Carmen had spotted other stray cats around the park.
And she knew this was more than a one-kitten rescue mission.
She jumped online and posted a call for help to her community.
Credit: animalfriendsproject/ instagram.com
The response was swift. People volunteered to foster, help with TNR (trap-neuter-return), and provide supplies for the cats still out there.
Liam had become more than just one rescue story, he’d sparked a movement of compassion.
Within a single day, Liam was already showing signs of improvement. His eyes looked clearer. He had an appetite.
And the numbers confirmed it: he went from 6.8 ounces to 7.2 ounces overnight.
Not huge, but a promising start for a kitten who had been so close to death.
“He’s full after this morning’s feeding,” Carmen smiled. “He’s gaining weight, and that’s all I could hope for right now.”
Liam quickly earned the nickname “purr machine” at Carmen’s home.
Despite everything he’d been through, he was affectionate, vocal, and eager to bond.
His little paws kneaded the blanket as he drifted to sleep, purring like a tiny motor the whole time.
“He’s a little fighter,” Carmen said proudly. “I really hope he grows into an amazing cat. I’m already so in love with this beautiful boy.”
It’s hard to imagine what would’ve happened if Carmen hadn’t shown up that day. Dozens of people had walked by Liam.
But only one stopped, picked him up, and gave him a second chance.
And that decision changed everything.
Liam still has a long way to go. But for now, he’s safe, warm, and deeply loved, something he likely hadn’t felt in his short life until now. ➕
