The team at Dekalb Humane Society (DHS) has seen a wide range of animal rescues, but none quite like their newest arrival — a disheveled little kitten with the soul of an angel and the look of a horror movie extra.
His name? Sewer Rat.
“He’s a kitten. Allegedly,” DHS joked on Facebook. “Right now, he looks like he crawled out of a haunted crawlspace.”
While the name and appearance might raise eyebrows, Sewer Rat’s story is no joke. He was found all alone, orphaned in the middle of a trailer park road — scared, sick, and in desperate need of help.
“He was completely alone and in really rough shape when he came to us,” said Teresa Feightner, DHS’ director.
The tiny, roughly 7-week-old kitten was battling a severe case of ringworm — a contagious fungal infection that had left his fur patchy, his skin raw, and his appearance, well… unusual.
But despite his discomfort, Sewer Rat remained impossibly sweet.
“He’s a little angel,” Feightner said. “He loves curling up on your chest for naps. He’s gentle, resilient, and weirdly charming. Everyone here is completely smitten.”
Though he may not look like a typical heartthrob, his foster family and DHS staff know better. Beneath the scruffy exterior is a soft-hearted baby who just wants a place to feel safe and loved.
You can read more about Sewer Rat here:
Sewer Rat is still undergoing treatment, and DHS is looking for a forever home nearby in Auburn, Indiana — ideally with someone unafraid of a little fungus and able to provide a quiet space for his continued healing.
They know it’s a specific ask, but they believe the right person will see what they do: a one-of-a-kind soul deserving of unconditional love.
“We know Sewer Rat isn’t everyone’s type,” DHS wrote. “He’s patchy. He’s fungal. He’s got ‘I just woke up in a ditch’ energy. But he’s also healing, sweet, playful — and so much closer to being okay.”
While his story has captured hearts online thanks to his delightfully odd looks and winning spirit, DHS hopes it will also shine a light on the many medically complex animals still waiting for love.
“He’s definitely won people over with his crusty little gremlin charm,” Feightner said. “But we hope this helps show that even cats with medical needs are every bit as worthy of a forever home.”
If you’re near Auburn and think you might be Sewer Rat’s person, you can apply to adopt him here. And to support other animals like him, consider donating to Dekalb Humane Society here.
