About two months ago, four grey kittens were brought into Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA) needing a foster home. They had been found outside without a mother at about one week old.

One of them was in rough shape — emaciated, crusty, and frail. She would need intensive care from an experienced carer. Penny Richards of AWLA stepped up to help and took on the litter of four.

She placed the kittens in an incubator to keep them warm and cozy, as they were too young to regulate their body temperature. Penny gently cleaned the matted fur of the frail kitten, Twiglet, and fed her regular, small meals to slowly build up her strength and weight.