Cat of the Week: Esme's baby!

Esme's most confident tabby baby

This week, we’re keeping it classic with a tabby—because, honestly, you can never go wrong with a tabby! Our star? None other than Esme’s Baby! Why the vague name, you ask? Well, Esme has three tabby babies, and while this little one has galloped into my heart, I haven’t yet cracked the code on how to tell the trio apart. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet, and a kitten by any other name would still be this ridiculously adorable.

Before we delve into Esme's best baby, a quick backstory: for the past two years, I’ve been volunteering at SARA Animal Shelter in Redcar, and every week, without fail, I fall hard for one (or two) of the cats in our care. I used to keep track of my “favourite of the week” on a calendar and with countless phone pics. But my phone pleaded for mercy, so I decided to share my weekly Cat Crushes with all of you! Thus, welcome to the Cat of the Week series, where I get to show off these furry stars and maybe—just maybe—help one find their forever lap.

Flashback to Last Week's Star(s): Finn & Frankie

A quick update on last week’s winners, Finn and Frankie. These two lap-cat legends are still soaking up the cozy vibes in their heated back room and charming everyone they meet. No forever home just yet, but I’m not worried—they’ve perfected the art of patience (and snuggling).

Now, onto this week’s winner…Esme's baby!

Rosie (me!) presenting the baby (tabby)

I really don't often fall for kittens. I find that, up to about 5 weeks old, kittens look like puppets that have been brought to life by the Blue Fairy.  But Esme’s babies, now nearing 10 weeks, have officially shed their marionette vibes and stepped into their starring roles as delightful mini-cats.

This week, I didn’t have as much time to lounge with the cats after cleaning (shoutout to being one volunteer short—send reinforcements, please!). But that didn’t stop this little dynamo from making his move. While his siblings were busy doing kitten things—napping, wrestling, plotting world domination—Esme’s most outgoing baby boldly ventured out of their pen, trotted into the corridor, and promptly won me over with his curiosity and comfort around humans.

Esme's baby galloping on over to her pen

This baby was the only one to come out into the corridor by himself and was very comfortable with human interaction, as demonstrated by Alex (british shorthair) and kitten in question below.

Esme's baby waves hello!

This tabby tot’s confidence and adventurous spirit are nothing short of magical. Whether it’s galloping across the corridor or leaning into a cuddle, he’s a reminder that sometimes the smallest paws leave the biggest prints on our hearts.

Esme’s Baby is proof that even in a busy shelter, joy can come trotting up to you when you least expect it. Whether you’re a seasoned cat parent or a first-time adopter, there’s a special kind of magic in seeing a kitten’s personality blossom. So, if you’re in the market for a pint-sized adventurer with tabby stripes and a whole lot of heart, Esme’s Baby might just be the one for you.

Until next week, hug your cats, cherish the moments, and maybe consider making room for one more furry friend in your life.