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Woman praises Target for taking responsibility after a pet toy killed her cat

"They don’t know if no one speaks up.”

via Shein and Mike Mozart/Flickr

A cat toy and Target location.

A recent tragedy shared by Mazie Kayee on TikTok shows that good can come out of a terrible situation when people take responsibility and practice forgiveness. It all began when Kayee gave her cat, Blue, a new toy for Easter—a Fish Trio Wand cat toy that cost her under $5. The toy features a stick, resembling a fishing rod, that has fake fish dangling from it for the cat to paw at.

On the morning of Thursday, June 26, 2025, the can began throwing up and continued to vomit into the evening. The vomit was brown and had a wretched odor. After taking the cat to the vet, Kayee learned that the tassels attached to the fish had become stuck in the cat’s digestive tract. “Here was a bunch [of tassles] in his stomach and then some little strings had made their way down further, and actually somehow wrapped his intestines from the inside,” she said in a video posted to TikTok. The entanglement led to Blue developing sepsis.

Blue’s tragic final days

The vet planned to perform surgery on Blue to remove the blockage, but unfortunately, the cat died before they were able to start. “I feel like I failed as a fur parent,” she said. “This is something I didn’t read reviews on because it was a $4 toy.”

@mazie.kayee

Replying to @andie🦇 TikTok removed the last one already so part 2. #catsoftiktok #cats #cattoys #target #bootsandbarkley #sedgwick #insurance #catloss

Target takes responsibility

After the tragic death of Blue, Kayee contacted Target’s corporate office to notify them that her cat died because of their pet toy. The administrator directed her to contact Target’s insurance company as well. The great news—in the heart of a terrible situation—was that Target was entirely open to taking responsibility by fixing the problem so more cats aren't hurt by the toy.

“Target said they’re going to redesign the toy. They're going to completely redesign it,” she shared in a follow-up video. “After hearing my story and then reading the reviews, they just said ‘no more.’ Like, it's being resent to the design team. And I'm going to hear from their insurance company about some other things."

@mazie.kayee

UPDATE!! #catsoftiktok #cat #cats #target #cattoys #bootsandbarkley #catloss #fyp #trending

Further, Target’s insurance company said that it will compensate Kayee for her loss. “The insurance company has sent a letter to the manufacturer stating that they are legally obligated to give us compensation,” she told The Daily Dot. “The lady I talked to through Target said she greatly appreciated me reaching out because they don’t know if no one speaks up.”

The story of Kayee and Target is an excellent example of the good that can happen in the wake of tragedy. Target could have ignored the issue or simply refused to talk to Kayee about her cat’s death, but instead, they took her complaint seriously. Not only will they remove the dangerous item from their shelves, but they will also compensate Kayee for her loss. Kayee also demonstrated a wonderful sense of humility by practicing forgiveness and praising Target and its insurance company for their responsible actions. Kayee should also be commended for reporting her loss to Target, so no more cats are hurt by the toy.

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Woman captures video of a wild deer giving her cat a bath and it's like a real-life Disney scene

The kitty was so soaked but so happy.

Photo credit: Canva

Ever seen a deer give a cat a bath? It's quite a sight.

As humans have long kept domesticated pets, we often put our own furry friends in an entirely different category than the wildlife that lives around us. When we do think about our pets interacting with wild animals, it's usually in the context of them chasing birds or squirrels or us protecting them from predators that may pose a threat.

But once in a while we see a beautiful example of a cross-species friendship that stops us in our tracks. Maybe it's two unlikely animals that bonded as babies or a rescue situation that resulted in a close kinship. On rarer occasions, a purely organic wild-domestic connection forms, and we see the most heartwarming example of this in a viral Disney-esque moment between a deer and a housecat.

Sarah Stephens shared a video of a deer in her backyard in Nevada absolutely drenching her orange tabby with a tongue bath, and it's too adorable:


@ckls1622

Unlikely best friends 😂

 


That cat was taking that bath like she was having the greatest spa day of her life, and people went gaga over it.

"This cat is so happy, soaked and all. 😭😭"

"Sun baked cats smell like popcorn and this deer is here for it."

"What in the Disney is this?! 🥹💗 So lovely."

"Pixar just sleeping on this gold mine."

"Is that a lavender field with a wild deer licking an orange tabby cat??? This is what dreams are made of."

"She needed a baby to care for and kitty needed a momma bath. 🥰🥰"

 deer mama, deer baby, baby animals A deer mama bathes her baby.Photo credit: Canva

"Deer is thinking maybe if i get in good with this mountain lion cub it will protect me when it get big. 😂😂😂"

"This is what I pay my internet and phone bills for. 😭"

Several people also found a deeper meaning in the video as they contemplated why different humans so often have a hard time getting along when such different animals can live in harmony.

"Why can’t we ALL get along like this deer and cat 🫶🏼"

"Moments like this or even my own dog or sons love make me quite spiritual, there is definitely a bond greater than ones self that we all share, now I’m not peddling religion here either, but there's definitely more than the primality of life."

"So strange….. why can’t we do the same? They are so different in every way. Yet loving and trusting. What is so wrong with us? 💔 This is beautiful. Feels like I’m watching such a deep and powerful analogy."


 

Some people also took the opportunity to point out how cats are special creatures with special powers over us all.

"Cats are superior and the universe was made for them."

"Cats will befriend any animal willing to clean their ears."

"Cats always have servants 🤣"

"I'm convinced that humans are not the only ones who think cats are adorable and always have to pet them in public."

"Cats are always doing husbandry with every species even us."

Apparently that deer was not the only one with an affinity for cats. In another video, a different deer nuzzled up to the kitty with some mutual love shown.

 

And here's the cat playfully sneaking up on a deer, solidifying the fact that these Nevada deer really are just part of the family to this friendly feline.

@ckls1622

Macky thinks she’s so funny 😂

Of course, wildlife can pose a danger to pets and vice versa, so this is certainly not an endorsement to let your animals roam freely in the wilderness. But we can certainly acknowledge and appreciate when a two creatures form an unlikely friendship, giving us an inspiring and adorable example of peaceful coexistence. And maybe even some spa-like pampering.

You can follow Sara Stephens (@ckls1622) on TikTok for more.


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Paralyzed but determined cat gets a wheelchair and becomes totally unstoppable

HarPURR is truly a one-of-a-kind kitty.

@harpurr_kitty_warrior/Instagram

HarPURR has always been a force to be reckoned with.

In 2018, a 3-week-old kitten was found outdoors, paralyzed from the waist down. The kitten's mom, who was later rescued herself, had cared for him valiantly, but it was clear that his needs were more than she or even the initial shelter that took him in could handle.

He was taken to Mojo's Hope, a rescue in Anchorage, Alaska, focused on animals with special needs, and given an x-ray on intake. He had a spinal injury that had healed completely under his mother's care. The vet thought maybe he'd been crushed during birth, but whatever caused his injury, it was clear he would never be able to use his hind legs.

  - YouTube  youtu.be  

But that has never stopped HarPURR from living his best life. Pulling himself around with his front legs, the formidable "kitty warrior" runs, plays, climbs, snuggles, and does everything a non-disabled cat does—he just looks a little different doing it. HarPURR's disability means he has to wear a diaper, but again, that doesn't stop him.

Watch him go:

 
@harpurrkittywarrior

#CATurday antics with HarPURR & Lady Purrl! The #dynamicduo #handicapcats #handican #harpurr #purrl #specialneeds #purrfect

 

HarPURR can clearly get around on his own, but that doesn't mean it's easy or ideal. His first set of wheels opened up a whole world of possibilities for him, especially outdoors, where he found himself able to race around freely, chasing other cats, exploring, and raising all kinds of delightful havoc.

@harpurrkittywarrior

Hold on Charity, you don’t get a head start!!! HarPURR is flying into the weekend with his purrsonal drift turbo CATegory as he is our feisty purrnado of LOVE. Turbo 🏎️ button activated 💨💨💨 I just love the beautiful relationships and bonds that develop between the furry family members in our home. When that furiendship is so deep, the trust is there and then they can have as much fun as possible! HarPURR is one tough nugget of love and I am so grateful to each and every one of you who takes the time to send him love, share your comments about your loved ones and show us that this world can be a place of positivity, kindness and compassion. HarPURR and I hope your weekend is PURRtastic, filled with time with your loved ones and that you have the chance to slow down, breathe and cherish every moment. This week has been a whirlwind and we will be happy to have this time to “paws.” #harpurr #cancerwarrior #purrnado

 

The Dodo compiled a video of HarPURR's journey from rescued kitten to beloved family member to wheelchair warrior, and it's inspiring people everywhere.

"He was spunky from day one," said his owner, Shannon. "No matter what he was presented with, he just did it."

He got his first cart when he was about two months old, and he took right to it. "When he wants to do something, nothing gets in his way," Shannon said.

  

HarPURR's indomitable will to live has people celebrating him, but some people also have questions. One commenter asked why his owners don't have his legs amputated so that he doesn't have to drag them around, citing concerns about sores and infections.

Shannon responded:

"HarPURR was born outdoors in Alaska and survived for 3 weeks thanks to his ameowzing mom cat. When we took him into our program on August 27, 2018 he was already paralyzed. We work very closely with our vet clinic as my organization Mojo's Hope has a focus on special needs and we have the gamut of care in our home. Our vet determined the next day that based upon how the area was healed up the paralysis most likely happened during or before the birth process. His mom knew how extraordinary he was, which is how he survived in Alaska for 3 weeks outdoors (his mom and the rest of the 11 kittens were all rescued as well).

Our vet and I discussed at length about amputation, however that would only be a necessity if his legs became an issue. Our home is cushioned the the max. I understand that you may be seeing HarPURR for the first time and have no understanding of his time with us over the last 6+ years. He has never over the last 6+ years ever had a sore on any of his legs (knock on wood). His legs and body are checked over very carefully several times a day (along with manual expression/stimulation 3 x a day), and he gets daily massages for his legs. HarPURR is incredibly strong and usually lifts his legs and yes sometimes they gently whack into the side, however no damage (as I am extremely vigilant with his care and the rest of our household) has ever happened.

@harpurrkittywarrior

HarPURR’s back!! Resilience, strength, courage, determination, compassion, encouragement! #guapo #gato #catlife #catlover

I do apPURReciate you doing your best to ask the question without being too harsh. I just wish people would learn more about HarPURR and his ameowzing life. Our sweet boy turned 6 on August 13th, is fighting bladder cancer (since 2022) and despite that is the most remarkable, courageous inspurrational sweet and feisty boy. I also understand that it is so hard for people to process how his life is from a 10 second video compared to 6+ wonderful years. I would encourage you to learn more about his life if you are truly interested. I hope that answers your question and HarPURR sends you tons of purrs of positivity!"

HarPURR is just 100% kitty, even trying to become one with the concrete, as cats do:

@harpurrkittywarrior

On this Flashback Friday we take a trip down memory lane to last summer when our pawrecious Cinder was still with us and being HarPURR’s devoted & loving suPURRvisor. HarPURR is showing again how he is just like any other typical cat and that he just LOVES to roll on the ground. I truly hope that you’ll take the time to read the post and understand that not only is HarPURR dearly loved and well taken care of, he wants to do everything “cat.” I often get asked, why don’t I just let him roll on the ground without his cart. Great question especially for those who don’t have experience with paralyzed cats. As his caregiver it is my responsibility to always protect him and keep him safe. If you know anything about HarPURR he loves his cart, however he does not like to be restricted in anyway, for example, like in a drag bag. I do my best to prevent any stressful situations for him and find ways for him to have as much fun as possible while staying safe. HarPURR never for one moment wants people to feel sorry for him, post sad faces, or crying faces. Those comments clearly show that the words weren’t read and/or that HarPURR is new to someone and they make assumptions. In the almost 6 years (unbelievable that his 6th birthday is coming up on August 13th) we have been so fortunate to prevent him from developing any sores on his legs. That is a combination of him being ambidextrous and me being a helicopter caregiver. HarPURR is one of 23 in our household and we have the gamut of special needs that I care for all on my own because it is my greatest passion and seeing each one thrive in their unique ways is remarkable. The impact that HarPURR has when he rolls into your feed is mindblowing. I am so grateful to every kind comment, loving message and sparkles sent his way. He is exceptional and I am so looking forward to his children’s book being shared so more people can learn about him and share his mission to insPURRire, advoCATe, eduCATe, encourage and demonstrate compassion! #harpurr #letsgo #warriorcats #cinder

 

You can watch HarPURR's adventures on Instagram and TikTok and on his website harpurrkittywarrior.org.

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6th grader's science experiment answers, 'Do cat buttholes touch every surface they sit on?'

A question no one knew they needed answered.

Photo courtesy of Kerry Hyde

Do cat buttholes touch every surface they sit on? Science answers.

Cat owners sometimes have unique questions that even Google doesn't always have the answer to. This is probably the sole reason cat forums exist, but one kid who needed a 6th grade science project decided to skip the cat forums for answers and instead use the scientific method. Kaeden Henry, a sixth grader living in Florida, bravely pondered a question few (if any one) has been brave enough to ask: do cat buttholes touch every surface they sit on?

Since cats do whatever the heck they want, training them not to jump on kitchen counters is a feat even Hercules struggles to complete. These fierce felines don't care if you're cooking dinner or trying to get comfy in bed. If they want to sit somewhere, they're going to do it. The thought of cat butts on that expensive Serta pillow designed to feel like you're sleeping on a cloud can gross people out, but thanks to Kaeden, you no longer have to wonder if the butthole itself is also making contact.

  Courtesy of Kerry Hyde

The curious sixth grader is homeschooled and well-versed in the scientific method thanks to her mother's PhD in animal behavior with a concentration in feline behavior. And, since they own cats, the science experiment was pretty straightforward (and directly impactful).

To complete the experiment, Henry and his mom, Kerry Hyde, bought non-toxic lipstick and applied it to each of their cat's anuses. Then, the cats were given commands.

  Courtesy of Kerry Hyde

"Non-toxic lipstick was applied to their bum-bums, they were then given a series of commands (sit, wait, lie down, and jump up. Side note: Both cats have been trained since kittenhood with a variety of commands, they also know how to high-five, spin around, and speak.), they were compensated with lots of praise, pets, and their favorite treats, and the lipstick was removed with a baby wipe once we collected our data in just under 10 minutes," Hyde wrote in a Facebook post.

The results? Turns out that, no, cat buttholes do not touch every surface cats sit on. Now, let's all take a collective sigh of relief while we go over the details. Kaeden's experiment covered long-haired, short-haired, and medium-haired cats (if your cat is hairless, you better stock up on Clorox wipes just in case).

"His results and general findings: Long and medium haired cat’s buttholes made NO contact with soft or hard surfaces at all. Short haired cats made NO contact on hard surfaces. But we did see evidence of a slight smear on the soft bedding surface. Conclusion, if you have a short haired cat and they may be lying on a pile of laundry, an unmade bed, or other soft uneven surface, then their butthole MAY touch those surfaces!" Hyde shares.

Now every curious cat owner can rest easy knowing that as long as their cat has hair, their bare bottom balloon knot is not touching the majority of surfaces in their home.

  Courtesy of Kerry Hyde

The amusing experiment caught the Internet's attention. People laughed and commented, with one person writing, "This is probably the most useful information I’ve learned from a science fair project."

"Good to know!...I can now eat my sandwich left on the counter with confidence!" another writes.

  Courtesy of Kerry Hyde

"A+++!!! Whew!! I am very grateful for your sciencing on this subject. My fears from walking in on my cat sitting on my laptop keyboard and subsequently being grossed out and cleaning furiously in a hyper-ocd manner have been somewhat allayed and now maybe I won’t have to use QUIIITE so many wipes." someone chimes in.

"Finally.. Someone answers the important questions!!"

This article originally appeared in April

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