A man noticed a kitten near the woods and brought him to safety, but he couldn't stop thinking about the young cat. MackSparkleCatRescueA kind-hearted man spotted a small tabby lingering around an apartment complex near the woods. Completely alone, the kitten scavenged for scraps by a dumpster, doing whatever he could to survive.Unable to turn his back on the kitten, the man called for backuphis daughter Sarah, a foster volunteer with Sparkle Cat Rescue. The kitten was timid and would bolt whenever anyone approached. "We had to slowly earn his trust and set up a humane trap to capture him," Sarah shared with Love Meow.For nearly eight days, they returned to the same spot, offering food and building trust one visit at a time. SparkleCatRescueEach day, Sarah's dad tried a new approach to rescue the kitten, patiently waiting and observing from a distance. "The kitten was super alarmed at first (when he went into the trap), but he was immediately distracted by the full can of food inside."Scared and unsure, the tabby huddled in the corner of the carrier, but behind those wide eyes was a gentle soul longing for love. SparkleCatRescue"Once we got him into a safe place, I was able to assess him. He was very small and hungry, but fortunately showed no major visible health concerns."As soon as the kitten, named Mackerel, or Mack, settled onto Sarah's lap, his fear began to melt away. For the first time, he seemed to understand he no longer had to fight. Wrapped in a cozy blanket and soothed by Sarah's cuddles, his purr motor roared to life. SparkleCatRescue"He got his own safe space with toys, soft blankets, and plenty of food. He acclimated to indoor life almost immediately, but he was still extremely cautious of loud noises or sudden movements, so we focused on continued trust-building and handling."Sarah gave Mack a snuggle toy, and he tucked himself beneath it as if being held in a comforting embrace. SparkleCatRescueWith nourishing meals, cozy beds, and endless affection, Mack truly blossomed, racing through the house with boundless energy. "His favorite things are chasing the laser toy, climbing his cat tree, and watching birds through the window."Sarah fostered Mack with the intention of helping him find a forever home, but not a day went by that her dad didn't think about him. SparkleCatRescue"My dad was so protective of this little kitten. He feared for him, being out there alone in the wild. Every day, he tried to figure out how he would capture him. While I was fostering, he checked in every morning and every night to see how he was doing."And the feeling was mutual. Mack greeted Sarah's dad with loud purrs, affectionate snuggles, and the warmest welcomes. SparkleCatRescueMack also befriended the resident tabby. The two curled up on the couch, drifting off to sleep side by side. "Once shy, now a total goofball. Mack has that perfect combo of sweetness and silliness," Stephanie Grantham, president of Sparkle Cat Rescue, shared.After months in foster care, Sarah wondered when Mack's forever family would finally find him, unaware that it had been there all along. SparkleCatRescueSarah's dad continued visiting Mack and spending time with him until he realized he couldn't imagine life without him. The kitten was already home. "He has officially traded foster life for full-time royalty status."Mack follows his human everywhere and claims every piece of furniture in his forever home. SparkleCatRescue"He's king of the castle at my dad's, and he even has his own artist's chair."Once a timid little kitten trying to survive near the woods, Mack is now living the dream life he was always meant to have. SparkleCatRescueShare this story with your friends. More cats and kittens at Sparkle Cat Rescue on Instagram and Facebook.Related story: Kitten Found Near Mailbox Never Gives Up, Becomes Sweetest Cat, and Has a Special Way into Everyone's Heart