Elf was born on 8 April 21 in a QT Kittens foster home with his siblings and half-siblings. QT Kittens took in two pregnant all-black sister cats who both were "knocked up" by the same grey cat dad. Their owner did the right thing and surrendered the pregnant moms temporarily to QT Kittens so we could make sure the moms & kittens got the best care possible. Both moms were spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and returned to their human mom after their nursing duties were fulfilled! We will let Elf tell his story below (in pictures with the full text below the "My Story" 9 pictures)...

Elf says, "If you want to support me in my journey to kick FIP's butt you can buy one of my PAWESOME shirts and make a donation here or you can go to QTKittens.org/donate, and look for me... ELF! The Mighty Micro-Kitten & FIP Warrior!!! Thank MEW Very Much!!!?

Note from Elf's QTK Mom: Elf was doing great with his daily shots, but he stopped growing again at 2.5lbs. Elf was taken to a specialist vet and was diagnosed with other issues not related to FIP. He kept fighting like the warrior he was, but he passed on 21 Nov 21 from cachexia (wasting disease), not FIP. *sniff*

We could not have afforded to treat Elf AND take care of our other foster-based rescue kittens without your help!!! 100% of all proceeds and donations from the sales of Elf's shirts will help us purchase FIP medications to have on hand for any kittens newly diagnosed with FIP. The time to treat FIP is immediately. The sooner treatment is started, the better the outcome. >^..^<

QT Kittens is 100%

? volunteer-run

? foster-based

? donation-funded

? free-roaming

? limited-admission (no-kill)

? kitten-powered 

? 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in gorgeous Naples, FL

Learn more at http://QTKittens.org >^..^<. Our volunteers & kittens say, "Thank MEW Very Much!"

Elf, the Mighty Micro-Kitten & FIP Warrior, says, ?I was born on April 8, 2021, at QT Kittens. My Mom, Shadow, and Aunt Peeper had their kittens 3 days apart and we all became the Holiday litter! I was the runt of both litters and got to wear the orange collar! 

My Holiday siblings and I all got upper respiratory infections and were very sick. My eyes got very infected and I took lots of medicine to make me better. I went from the foster home with Mom, Aunt Peeper, and my littermates to a special one-on-one foster home with ?Aunt Mary? where I could be bottle-fed whenever I was hungry. As the runt, it was hard to nurse, especially because my mom decided she didn?t really want to nurse at first, so there were 10 of us trying to get enough milk from Aunt Peeper?s 8 nipples!!! 

My brother got so sick he crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in Purrs, King. We still love and miss you!

Then I started feeling better and I could see! I'm like other kittens! I love to eat, play, and cuddle. But QTK says I'm special! 

I was pre-adopted with my sister, Shamrock, and were waiting at QTK to go live with our furever family until I stopped growing at ONLY 1.8lbs!!! My QTK Mom took me to the vet because I was very tiny with a big round belly. I could eat and eat and eat, and I never gained weight, but my belly got bigger!

Our amazing vet said I had something called FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis, a type of coronavirus for cats. I don't want it. I can't even pronounce it! I was scared because everyone was so worried like I wasn't going to be around long or something!

Then my QTK Mom found an alternative therapy to help me fully recover. I have to take daily injections for 84 days! That?s almost 3 months. And, it's really expensive... like $500 at my starting weight. I can't even count that high! Plus I have vet visits, I take lots of vitamins, I eat a lot for my size, and I have other medical costs!

It's a lot of work, but I'm trying my best to grow into a strong, healthy cat! I am sticking my tongue out at FIP saying "You won't get the best of me, coronavirus!"

Well, that's my story so far! It's far from over because I plan on having lots of years of adventures, playtime, treats, and cuddles! And my momma still wants to adopt me unless I want to stay with my QTK Mom! She adopted my sisters Valentine & Ash, a bonded pair, so Shamrock is now looking for her furever home! I just have to wait 9-12 months to make sure I'm completely healthy before I make my decision! I?m a very lucky kitten! My QTK Mom says that she will fight with me for as long as I want to fight and I am a FIP Warrior!!! All of the kittens & volunteers at QT Kittens are grateful and honored for all of your comments, thoughts, prayers, and donations!"

Elf says, "If you want to support me in my journey to kick FIP's butt you can buy one of my PAWESOME shirts and make a donation here or you can go to QTKittens.org/donate, and look for me... ELF! The Mighty Micro-Kitten & FIP Warrior!!! Thank MEW Very Much!!!?