On New Year’s Day, while most people were enjoying fresh beginnings and celebrations, a truly heartbreaking scene was unfolding in Gonzales, California.
A local family spotted something they wished they hadn’t, a group of teens firing Roman candles at a tiny, helpless kitten.
The family quickly contacted Jonathan Henriques, the director of Rescue Alliance, and what he discovered at the scene was beyond shocking.
When Jonathan arrived, he found the kitten tied up with a small collar and leash.
There was no chance for him to escape. He was completely exposed.
The teens were using the kitten as target practice, launching fireworks in his direction.
Bright flashes, loud explosions, and intense heat filled the air and the poor kitten couldn’t run.
“It was horrific,” Jonathan later shared in a video interview.
“They tied him up so he couldn’t get away, and the fireworks were being fired right at him.”
At just six weeks old, this kitten had already been through a nightmare.
One of his eyes was badly injured, most likely from the searing heat or a direct hit.
It was clear that he was in terrible pain.
And the worst part? The teens didn’t seem to understand or care what they were doing.
They laughed, carried on, and only ran away when Jonathan showed up.
It was as if they thought it was all just a game. But it wasn’t. It was real. And it was cruel.
Jonathan gently scooped the kitten into his arms and rushed to the nearest vet.
There was a sliver of hope that the eye could be saved, but the damage was extensive.
The vets confirmed his fears: there was a real possibility the kitten might lose his eye altogether.
Despite the trauma, the little guy held on. Rescue Alliance gave him the name Angel, a fitting title for such a brave soul who’d already endured so much.
He’s now in the care of a loving foster family, where he’s finally receiving the comfort and medical support he so desperately needs.
But Angel’s journey is far from over.
The cost of his treatment is quickly adding up. He may need surgery to remove the damaged eye and prevent further complications.
And that means Rescue Alliance is turning to the community for help both emotionally and financially.
The shelter shared a heartfelt message: “Angel is now safe in our care and getting the vet care he needs to thrive.”
Every dollar counts, and the team is hopeful that people will step up to support Angel’s recovery.
His story has already touched many hearts online, and the hope is that those who are moved by his courage will help give him the future he deserves.
Angel now spends his days wrapped in soft blankets, resting in a warm home instead of the cold ground he was tied to just days ago.
He’s slowly learning to trust again, showing signs of resilience even as he heals.
His story is a powerful reminder of why it’s so important to speak up for animals who can’t defend themselves. What happened to Angel wasn’t just a one-off prank.
It was a clear act of cruelty. And if people like Jonathan hadn’t stepped in, the outcome could’ve been far worse.
There’s still a long road ahead, but Angel has already shown that he’s a fighter.
With the right care, the right love, and the right support, he has a chance to live a full and happy life, even if it means doing so with just one eye.
What happened on that day in Gonzales should never have happened. But in the aftermath, there’s hope. Angel has survived.
He’s safe. And thanks to the work of his rescuers and the kindness of strangers, he might just turn this tragedy into a story of healing and second chances.
If there’s one lesson we can take from Angel’s story, it’s this: cruelty doesn’t have the last word. Compassion does.
