A small stray kitten named Emmie did just that, stealing the show of New Yorkers riding on a NYC subway train. After making herself at home on the two-month-old kitty-cat express, she made the rounds to greet passengers with her dazzling cuteness. Betsaida Mercado, who noticed the buzz of curiosity among other riders, decided to rescue Emmie after no one claimed her as their own.
Mercado, during her daily commute through lower-Manhattan rubble to her new office, remembered how Emmie’s tiny frame made a dramatic impact. “I remember thinking she was super, super small,” she said. He quickly scooped up the kitten and brought her home. Now, Emmie doesn’t have to live life on the streets as a stray.
Once she got comfortable in her new digs in Harlem, indoor kitty Emmie adjusted right away! And Mercado got her to meet King, 13-year-old doggie big brother to Emmie. The pair have formed a bond, with Mercado noting, “Now [we are] being rewarded with a beautiful baby kitten.”
The day after rescuing Emmie, Mercado brought her to the vet for a full examination. Since no microchip was located, Emmie was available for adoption. Mercado knows first-hand the financial commitment of pet ownership. To lighten that load, he started a go fund me to raise money to pay for Emmie’s emergency vet care. Within just a few hours, the campaign had taken off, raising more than $3,000.
Quickly, Mercado realized the money was “more than she could take.” She ultimately made the decision to end the fundraiser and plans to donate some of the remaining proceeds to a handful of Manhattan animal shelters.
“I’m super, super proud of myself that I did that,” Mercado said, looking back on the decision she made to prioritize the welfare of animals in need.
Through all of this, Emmie’s story has struck a chord with many, making her an online phenomenon. “The minute we walked in, everyone knew her story,” Mercado noted, highlighting the impact of social media in spreading awareness about Emmie’s journey from the subway to a loving home.
