Rescued Kitten Thrives After Life-Changing Surgery

Naeema M. was delivering her last Amazon package of the morning in Queens, New York, when she heard a tiny cry coming from underneath a parked car.

“I heard mewing and told my daughter, Marlow, who was with me,” Naeema says. “She jumped out of my car and coaxed the tiny kitten out from under the other car. She wasn’t going to leave until we rescued him. As soon as she picked him up, he started purring.”

Marlow, 12, named the 5-week-old kitten Galaxy after her favorite Minecraft YouTuber named GalaxyIsDum.

Naeema confirmed with her customer that the kitten was a stray, and she decided to take Galaxy home as a new member of her family, which includes other cats.

One Eye, Endless Energy

With the kitten safe, Naeema and Marlow took a closer look and noticed that Galaxy’s left eye was swollen.

“It was protruding,” Naeema says. “Then it started to bleed; I was alarmed.”

Naeema contacted the ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic near her home in Brooklyn, where she takes her other cats to be spayed, neutered and vaccinated.

“I asked if they could help with Galaxy’s eye, and the staff were willing right away,” she says. “Not only that — they offered to neuter him as well.”

Dr. Shikha Thapa performed an enucleation surgery, removing Galaxy’s left eye. Dr. Thapa believes Galaxy’s eye trouble was caused by an untreated infection.

Today, Galaxy is a healthy, active kitten, unbothered by living with just one eye.

“He has the zoomies like crazy,” Naeema says. “He’s very busy, and he’s such a good kitty.”

Strengthening Community Pet Care

The ASPCA Community Veterinary Clinic in Brooklyn was made possible by a leadership gift from The Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt Charitable Trust and generous donations from other dedicated supporters. The late Alex and Elisabeth Lewyt championed organizations that helped care for stray and abandoned pets and played a vital role in giving countless animals a second chance through their philanthropy and hands-on work.

The Clinic carries forward the Lewyts’ mission to protect vulnerable animals by ensuring dogs and cats like Galaxy receive the care they need.

Naeema, whose shift starts at 3 a.m., sees cats along her delivery route all the time.

“This time, we spotted one who really needed help,” she says. “And I’m grateful the ASPCA was there for us.”