They came across a shelter kitten who looked constantly “in shock” and couldn’t leave without him.

Emilie Rackovan and Haley from Thrifted Kittens Animal Rescue flew to Pasco County Animal Services to volunteer when there was an influx of animals that needed help.

During their stay there, they did everything they could to assist the exhausted staff. While caring for kittens, Emilie came across a tiny tabby with a degloved jaw that had mostly healed. Found alone and hypothermic, the kitten displayed remarkable resilience.

“We named him ‘Flabbergast’ because he looked to be in a constant state of shock,” Emilie shared.

The kitten, desperately in need of rescue and medical attention, tugged at Emilie and Haley’s heartstrings; they couldn’t bear to leave him behind. “I decided to take him back with me. Thankfully, everyone immediately loved him even though he screamed all the way through airport security.”

Along with another cat named Socks from the shelter, they made their way back to the rescue.

Flabbergast’s eyes lit up at the sight of food, and he raced towards it like his life depended on it. He chomped vigorously, even sitting inside the bowl as if it would help him devour the food faster.

“He has a huge appetite and is always yelling for more food. He is feisty and playful, and watch out for your toes,” Haley shared.

With a cozy home and boundless food, Flabbergast drifted into a food coma after every meal.

He quickly started to fill out, and his energy levels soared. Constantly on the move, he zipped around like he owned the place—nothing could slow him down. Once he was big enough, he would undergo surgery to fix his jaw.

“Despite everything, he is a goofy little guy who loves to act tough and play with his foster brother, Socks. He is teeny tiny but very confident.”

Socks towered over the kitten and tried to teach him how to play appropriately, but Flabbergast acted as if they were equal in size, pouncing and wrestling with all his might. After tiring himself out from all the roughhousing, he’d put himself to bed each night.

Flabbergast was tiny but had the spirit and appetite of a tiger. He was unabashed about using his voice to get what he wanted. Bold and adventurous, he would jump from any height as if gravity didn’t apply to him.

“Our amazing veterinary team immediately got to work fixing his jaw, which was not easy given how small he was.”

The recovery was challenging, especially with Flabbergast’s unbridled energy and endless urge to play. Even when he was wearing a cone, he was determined to leap incredible distances that other kittens his age would hesitate to attempt.

He continued to sit in his food while eating, making a mess an inevitable part of every meal.

Flabbergast would climb onto his foster mom’s shoulders and then slide down her chest like he was tumbling down a hill. Every day, he seemed to struggle with gravity, rolling clumsily wherever he went.

It was quite the task, keeping him calm and clean.

“The recovery was tough, but six weeks later, you’d never know anything was ever wrong.”

At the sound of his foster mom’s voice, he comes running and climbs onto her shoulders within seconds. He loves leaning against her, purring softly and occasionally showing his feisty side.

The little bundle of energy has blossomed into a vivacious shoulder cat with a big personality.

Flabbergast appears less “flabbergasted” now. Thanks to his rescuers, he’s thriving in foster care and savoring each day to the fullest.