Today’s good news is about an endangered species in Scotland.
This story appeared on the Good News Network and is duplicated here in its entirety.
A man who found a tiny kitten buried in snow thought it was a lost cat—only to find it was one of the most endangered mammals in Europe.
32-year-old chef Pete MacNab was out for a walk in Scotland’s Cairngorms National Park with his baby son and a friend.
They spotted a group of sheep circling something. As they drew closer, the animals scattered, revealing a tiny tabby kitten lying in the snow in rural Dava Way.
The feline was unable to get on its feet. It looked freezing and its coat was all matted with snow. Not wanting to leave the creature in difficulty, Pete’s friend, Piotr, carried it the three miles back to town. He noted its claws were like “miniature razors,” and the pair joked that the little creature must be a Scottish wildcat: a rare species known to live in the Highlands.
After it was left at the vets on Wednesday, Pete began posting on local Facebook groups but no owner came forward.
Piotr and his partner began planning to get a cat bed and re-home the kitten—which they’d named Huntleigh.
But, the following day, the vet confirmed a specialist had in fact identified the wee tabby as a Scottish wildcat.
There are only around 100 to 300 of the species left. The only wild member of the cat family in the UK, it’s also one of the most endangered mammals in Europe.
Because of their bond with the kitty, Peter and Piotr have since begun a fundraiser to raise money for a charity helping other wildcats—which has raised more than £5,000 ($6,800) so far.
Peter’s now been contacted by the Royal Zoological Society, which is part of the breeding program, to say the campaign has happily boosted their fundraising, too.
If you’d like to donate to the GoFundMe these friends have started on behalf of Huntleigh, just head to this link.
The Good News here is money is being raised as a result of finding and rescuing one little kitten that will go to help restore the endangered species.
Today’s JohnKu talks about accidental discovery that leads to great things. I hope you have a great weekend.
Chance by John W. Howell © 2022
A small kitten found,
Unravels a mystery. . .
That saves a species.
Fiction Favorites 
Seriously… How cool is this. I have to say, the wee one looks just like our Tabby. 🙂
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I’m sure they have similar ancestors. Thanks, Annette.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you, Michael.
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Great news! Thanks for sharing, John! Now they will have to find a partner for her/ him? too. We should declare one of the Scottish islands as a “Island of Huntleight’s”. 😉 xx Michael
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That would be a good idea for sure. Thanks, Michael.
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Thank you as well, for this impressive news. xx Mihael
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😁
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Wow! What a wonderful story, John, and the perfect high note on which to end the week.🥰
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Glad you liked it, Lori. I agree about the high note. 😁
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This is an incredible story, all from one small act of compassion.
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Yup. Just shows what can happen with a good deed. Thanks, Liz.
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You’re welcome, John.
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😊
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What an amazing story. Thanks for sharing, John.
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Thank you, Jill.
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This is absolutely wonderful. I’d bond with that kitty in a second! It’s wonderful that its real identify was established, and that an entire species will benefit.
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I thought the uniqueness of the story was in what you describe, Linda. Thanks.
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I can see bonding with a kitten in that short period – it only takes me a second or two! Will this kitten be returned to the wild?
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I imagine they will return it if possible. I’ll have to keep checking on any follow-up. Thanks, GP.
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What a beautiful story, John. I hope you’re able to find follow-up information as the kitten grows into a cat. Thank you for this extra sunshine today. 💗
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I would hope so too, Gwen. I’ll Google it at some point. Maybe they have set up some kind of website or something. Was nice sunshine for sure. 😁
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I love the Fri-Yay series. What a heartwarming story. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks, Staci. I like thee stories too.
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That’s an amazing story, with a happy ending for the cat.
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I can’t imagine a mom cat leaving a kitten in the snow, but you are right. Thanks, Craig.
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Love the story and how many things that appear accidental turn out to be great discoveries. Thank you for sharing this amazing story.
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Always a pleasure, Karen. Thank you for the lovely comment.
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That’s a wonderful story, John! You know how I love cats. 🙂 Happy Friday!
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I think we all do. I still miss mine. Thanks, Joan.
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Your haiku moved me to tears. What a lovely story. And what a beautiful little kitten!
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What Joan said. And what an adorable cat it is. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Teri 😁
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Wonderfully heart-warming story, and a beautiful Haiku. Thanks for brightening my day with this great news. Happy Friyay, John and everyone 💕🙂
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Thank you, Harmony. 😁
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So cool.
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😁
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What a touching and uplifting story, John, I am a sucker for cats, all kinds.
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Me too, Noelle.
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Perfect and beautiful haiku to go with this surprising tale. How glad am I that they decided to bring the kitten to the vet and this discovery was made!
Happy Friday to you, John!
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It was a super story. Happy Friday to you, Dale. 🤗
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Indeed! And Thank you, my friend. 🤗
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Good story John. It makes me wonder if the raising of sheep has disrupted the natural habitat and caused the decline of the wildcats. It is not like much else it going on out there.
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Might be the wearing of kilts.
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Aw, how sweet (even though I’m not a “cat person”!) How wonderful that they found this wee one, who now has another life to live, contributing to the furtherance of its species.
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Good thought, Debbie. Thanks. 😊
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That just melts my heart. I’d never heard of a Scottish wildcat before. What a wonderful story–and that kitten is a cutie. Happy FriYay, John!
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Thank you, Mae. All news to me too. Happy Fri-Yay to yu as well. 😁
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I love this story! Such an affirmation of the inherent good in most people. I love this Scottish wildcat!
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Thank you, Maggie. It wasw a god one. 😁
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Reblogged this on T. W. Dittmer and commented:
I found this Friday Johnku-aka-Friyay good news post particularly refreshing and decided to share it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
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Thank you for the share, Tim.
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Lucky little wild kitten. Glad it has a new chance at life!
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Yes indeed.
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Love this good story – I am a cat person. Who knew there were wildcats in the UK?
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I never knew. Thanks , Jo. Have a great weekend.
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This story made me a little weepy, Boss, I ain’t gonna lie. The cosmos worked their crazy beautiful magic for this meeting to occur, and now a cause has been borne as a result.
Thank you for this wonderful piece.
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Thank for letting me know you liked it, Marc.
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Loved it, really.
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Hugs
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How precious and exciting! Love this haiku, John. Enjoyed the read also, so nice to read for knowledge and enjoyment.
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Thank you, Audrey.
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😊
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Great story! Hard to look at that precious bundle as a wildcat.
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I know. Looks like it should be by a fireplace somewhere.
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That’s an amazing story, John! And another part of it I found interesting were the sheep who actually alerted the men to the kitten. Great JohnKu! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you, Jan. Having raised sheep in my early days, I can tell you they are very curious about everything. 😁
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The kitten is really cute!
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It is for sure. 😁
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Many things intrigue me, John. First seeing the two chaps in that pic, only the one on the right can be Piotr. He’s just made for that name. Second is how do you find stories about my back yard that I don’t see? I never read about happy endangered species stories from Texas (unless abortion practitioners count). And I doubt any one will actually bond with kitty. His instincts will be to get free at all costs. Those claws… still I will now go and see if my local feeds carry this little story
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Since my mother was a Scot, stories about her roots are always interesting to me. Yes, good news stories in Texas are hard to find. Of course, I ran one last week about turtle rescues but I get your point. Good luck on your search and if you turn something up I would love to hear about it. Thanks, Geoff.
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Terrific story, John!
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😁
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How wonderful! I hope they’re very successful with the fundraiser and the wildcats begin to thrive and make a comeback!
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Me too. I hope I can get some additional information about it.
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I loved this story, John and I just spent the last twenty minutes researching the Scottish wildcat and watching a video. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you for letting me know you liked it, Barbara.
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I’m always fascinated when they find a living member of a rare species, or one they thought was extinct.
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Me too. It is always gratifying though.
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Such sweet stories you share on here! And since I adore felines, I whole-heartedly approve of this new endeavor. Also, your John-Ku is fantastic. 🙂
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Thank you, Betsy. It is always nice when you visit. I normally have cookies but all I have left is this bourbon. 🥃 Yeah it’s 18 years old but I have to say it’s just not like a warm cookie.
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Oooh. 18 year old bourbon or a warm cookie. Tough call… I guess I’d go with the cookie, too, if I could. {sad sigh… mmm… cooookiiiess…}
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😊
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