In Fulton County, Illinois, in the US, two cats were abandoned when their family moved away.
As reported by Newsweek, a neighbour alerted the authorities after spotting the cats in distress in the home's frozen garden. At the time, temperatures had dropped to a bitter -15 degrees Celsius.
A display of loyalty that touched hearts
When rescuers arrived, one of the cats had already succumbed to the cold, frozen in the snow. The surviving cat, named Elizabeth, had stayed right by his side, refusing to leave her companion.
Her dedication to her friend, despite her own distress and the extreme temperatures, immediately touched the hearts of thousands.
A new beginning for Elizabeth
The rescue centre that took in the surviving cat decided to share her story on social media.
”Let's pray she finds a loving family soon,” wrote one user. ”I wish nothing but the worst for the people who did this,” tweeted another.
Since then, Elizabeth has been transferred from animal control to the TAPS No-Kill shelter, where her sweet and affectionate nature has prompted numerous adoption enquiries. The shelter staff have said that she could soon find her forever home, given the strong interest from potential adopters.
