Injured Kitten and Puppy Become Inseparable at Shelter: 'Happiest Together'

A 3-month-old puppy and 2-month-old kitten have melted hearts after becoming the best of friends at a shelter in Kentucky.

Puppy Quill and his new best friend Fritter are both currently recovering from their own separate ordeals in the Kentucky Humane Society (KHS), but nobody expected their blossoming friendship.

Quill's journey began in early November when he arrived at KHS with a severe jaw injury resulting from an altercation with another dog. Unable to close his mouth properly and in considerable pain, the veterinary team at KHS acted swiftly.

After administering medication to alleviate pain and prevent infection, X-rays revealed a bilateral break in Quill's lower jaw. Surgical intervention was necessary to temporarily realign and secure his jaw bones. Subsequent procedures successfully removed dead bone, allowing Quill to regain the ability to close his mouth and eat independently.

Just a few short days later, the KHS team welcomed Fritter, a tiny 2-month-old kitten with a harrowing story of his own. Fritter arrived as a stray, bearing a shocking eye injury that required urgent medical attention. His right eye protruded from its socket, prompting the veterinary team to make the difficult decision to remove it, preventing further complications and infection.

Each year, 6.3 million pets are surrendered to U.S. shelters, which is an average of 17,260 a day, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The number of dogs and cats taken in by pet shelters hit 46,807 during January 2023, an increase of 1,744 compared with January 2022, the 24Pet 'Shelter Watch Report' found. Around 920,000 surrendered animals are euthanized every year. Shelters are striving to minimize euthanasia rates by promoting adoption campaigns, spaying and neutering programs, and behavior rehabilitation.

In an incredible twist of fate, the young puppy and kitten found each other, forming an inseparable bond.

"Fritter snuggled up to Quill as if they'd known each other in a past life. It's clear that these two are happiest together, even trying to share their food," Andrea Mattingly from KHS told Newsweek.

Touched by the chemistry between the two unlikely friends, KHS staff have kept them together and they can often be seen playing, cuddling and relaxing together.

While they are both almost ready to go to a foster home, they will ensure they go together so that they can continue to recover side by side.

Quill and Fritter aren't the only cat and dog duo to find friendship. Earlier this year, a cat and dog who became "soulmates" in just 24 hours melted hearts online. While a tiny kitten and dog were dubbed "bestfwiends" after their friendship gained viral attention.

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