Desperate Freezing Stray Kitten Leaps Inside a Couple’s Backpack and Begs to Be Rescued

It was a cold winter’s day when Kate and Seb, a couple living in Bansko, Bulgaria, stopped at a local supermarket for their weekly grocery run. After finishing their shopping, they paused outside to pack their groceries into their bags when something small and frantic caught their attention.

From a distance, a tiny figure was darting toward them. At first, Kate thought it might be a rat attracted by their food, but as the creature got closer, it became clear this was no rodent—it was a kitten, and he was running straight at them, desperate for help.

“He was so tiny, and the look in his eyes broke my heart,” Kate recalled. “It was like he was begging us to take him with us.”

Desperation Drives Him to Leap Into Their Backpack

Without a moment’s hesitation, the kitten made a beeline for Seb’s backpack, jumping inside and nestling himself among their groceries. Kate and Seb were speechless, unsure of what to do next. This little cat seemed so trusting and so certain that they were his only hope.

“I picked him up, and he immediately burrowed his head into my neck,” Kate shared, tears welling in her eyes. “His little claws clung to me like he didn’t want to let go. He was so scared and cold.”

Rescue Gone Wrong

Kate and Seb knew they couldn’t leave the kitten behind, especially with the harsh winter temperatures. But as they started to make their way home, tragedy struck. Startled by a distant barking dog, the kitten suddenly bolted up a tree, disappearing into the branches.

Despite their best efforts to get him to come down, he stayed frozen in fear. Heartbroken, Kate and Seb had no choice but to return home without him, but the thought of him alone in the cold weighed heavily on their hearts.

A Second Chance at Rescue

Determined not to give up on the little kitten, Kate and Seb returned to the supermarket the very next day, this time with cat food in hand. After hours of searching, their patience paid off. Just as they were about to leave, a familiar figure came bounding toward them from the nearby garbage bins—meowing loudly, the kitten had returned.

As if knowing he was safe, the kitten climbed into Seb’s jacket, snuggling into his armpit as though he belonged there all along. That night, the tiny kitten purred contentedly in Seb’s lap, finally feeling the warmth and love he had been searching for.

A Forever Home Found

Although Kate and Seb quickly grew attached to the kitten they named Stanko, their busy lives meant they couldn’t keep him. Determined to give him the best life possible, they reached out to friends back home in the UK. Luckily, their friend Nia and her mom Jan in North Wales were happy to adopt the sweet little kitten.

Once in his new home, Stanko—now lovingly called “Stan”—began to thrive. His days were spent exploring the garden, climbing curtains, and getting into all sorts of playful mischief. Videos of his antics brought endless smiles to Kate and Seb, knowing they had helped transform his life.

“He’s loved beyond measure,” Kate said, her voice full of emotion. “He’s gone from freezing in a parking lot to being a spoiled little prince. He’s our little miracle.”