Friday, September 25, 2026

What’s Working

For readers looking for what’s still working in the world

KindnessUpworthy

Mama cat rushed her kittens to a human hospital. Doctors treated them as patients.

In a touching display of interspecies trust, a stray mama cat in Izmir, Turkey, brought her kittens to a human hospital, seeking medical attention for their eye infection. The hospital staff, already accustomed to providing food and water to the local strays, responded with empathy and action, consulting a veterinary clinic to administer the necessary treatment. This heartwarming event underscores the profound impact of human kindness on animal behavior, as the cat’s instinctual trust in people was met with compassion and care.

The story is not an isolated incident but part of a broader cultural narrative in Turkey, where the care for stray animals is woven into daily life. This societal norm fosters an environment where animals feel safe approaching humans for help, as evidenced by similar occurrences in the past. The hospital staff's swift action and emotional investment in the wellbeing of these kittens highlight the powerful ripple effect of community kindness, setting a standard for how humans can positively engage with the natural world.

Constructive analysis

The constructive-journalism lens: not just what happened, but what works.

The problem
Stray animals often face health challenges without access to proper veterinary care.
The actions
Hospital staff provided immediate medical examination and consultation with a veterinary clinic for the kittens.
Evidence of progress
The kittens were successfully treated for their eye infections, and their recovery was celebrated by the hospital staff.
What we can learn
Communities can foster trust and aid in animal welfare by integrating compassionate practices into everyday interactions with stray animals.
PERMA profile of this story

How this story scores across the PERMA dimensions.

Positive Emotion
9
Engagement
8
Relationships
9
Meaning
7
Accomplishment
7
PERMA

Character strengths in play

Top VIA strengths this story embodies.

  • Kindness

    Good for these Turkish medical workers for setting an inspiring example of kindness to animals.

  • Courage

    Finally, she fetched one of her kittens and carried it right into the hospital, clearly on a mission.

  • Gratitude

    We were emotional and delighted to see that they recovered well.

Try this today

Consider how you can create a more welcoming and supportive environment for animals in your community. Start by setting up a small feeding station for local strays and observe how your actions influence their behavior and wellbeing.