#Found a Cat

#Overview

Around 5:10 PM, just as the community center was quieting down and I was wrapping up my daily tasks like summarizing welfare call logs, a petitioner came in crying.

She said someone had abandoned a kitten in the Sumin Oul Park right next door, and she was looking for a box so it wouldn't freeze to death.

Animal rescue isn't exactly my job, but I can't ignore a crying kitten. I grabbed a box and followed her out.

#First Impression

It was a gray kitten, really just the size of my palm.

It was surrounded by several children who looked about 6 or 7 years old and seemed quite annoyed. The temperature was around 1-2°C, a very harsh environment for a kitten.

I generally avoid impulsive decisions when it comes to taking responsibility for another life. I've had a lot of internal conflict about getting a pet like a dog, and the feeling of being sorry to the creature usually outweighed my own happiness.

However, since I'm scheduled to be discharged soon, I thought I could care for it until I return to school.

More importantly, the urge that it would be more irresponsible to turn away on such a cold day took over, and I decided to adopt it on the spot.

#Status Check

I brought it to the Sumin-dong Saemaeul Library to check its condition and offered water and wet food, but it refused.

An administrative officer who raises cats estimated it to be 2-3 months old.

She noticed its right eye, walking, and breathing seemed odd and recommended visiting a vet.

I usually commute by bus, so I planned to take a taxi.

But thankfully, a welfare officer kindly recommended a good animal hospital and even gave us a ride.

The checkup showed no major issues like fractures, and the kitten had a good appetite. We decided to monitor it for a week and visit again.

The vet estimated it to be 2-3 months old and noted that it seemed used to human hands.

I even received some nutritional supplements, and the director didn't charge for the consultation, saying I was doing a good deed.

A huge thank you again to the director of MS Animal Hospital in Yeonsan-dong.

I will definitely visit for vaccinations and neutering later.

Update (Jan 15, 2026): Yeoul is alive and well, but I haven't been able to take him to the vet because he cries so pitifully whenever I try to put him in the carrier ㅠㅠ I'll definitely go once he gets a bit more used to it!!

#Conclusion

I have a family member to take responsibility for.

So cute.

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