Moms and Dads

The Heartwarming Story of Jodi Sta. Maria’s New Kitten: Naia

This is how Jodi Sta. Maria gave a kitten a new furever home.

A story of a stray finding a “fur-ever” home always warms our hearts. It reminds us that there is still some good in the world. Celebrity mom Jodi Sta. Maria recently changed the life of a stray ginger kitten. Naming him Naia (pronounced as Na-Ya), Jodi also posted the photo dump of their story on becoming a part of her family.

Jodi Sta Maria carries her new kitten Naia
Source: Jodi Sta. Maria IG

Naia On His Way Home

Celebrity mom Jodi Sta. Maria arrived at NAIA Airport after her trip to Japan when she spotted a confused and scared kitten crying and meowing for help and food. Seeing the chaos of rushing passenger carts also agitated him which led to Jodi picking him up. The celebrity joked on her Instagram, “Catnapper lang ang peg. I asked for a plastic bag, nilagay ko siya sa loob tapos nilabas ko yung head niya then isinakay sa van.”

Jodi Sta Maria's new kitten, Naia
Source: Jodi Sta. Maria IG

Jodi first thought it was a tabby kitten but it was actually a tom. Although she named him Naia, it didn’t stop her from bringing him to a less chaotic spot.

When adopting a stray, always schedule an appointment with a vet to make sure that there are no underlying health issues. While waiting, give them a safe haven to stay in which is what Jodi did with a carton box while providing food and water. Cats love boxes because it grants them a sense of control. And while we can buy them a fancy kennel, they will love the box more!

Welcome to the family, Naia!

Jodi Sta Maria hugging her kitten Naia
Source: Jodi Sta. Maria IG

Jodi then brought Naia to Dr. Ryx in Vets in Practice Animal Hospital where they checked him for mites, fleas, and other issues. He also had his deworming and received a prescription for what Jodi calls his baon. Being a stray kitten meant that he only had the garbage can to eat out of, making him more at risk for worms and parasites.

But the check-up was more than worth it as Naia looks extremely happy with Jodi even commenting: “While waiting for our bill, naglikot at nagpa-bibo tapos nag settle sa back ko. What’s with the face Naia?? Hahaha 😂”

If only we can house all the strays and give them a fur-ever home…

Jodi Sta. Maria with Naia
Source: Jodi Sta. Maria IG

We love animals and it breaks our hearts when we hear stories of people being abusive to them. It’s a common and heartbreaking story here in the Philippines that there are those who poison them, beat them, and even them drown them in rivers! Some are even just left in trees to be feasted upon by fire ants. But as humans, we have a chance to foster and find them better lives and homes. Vets even encourage owners to have their cats “spayed” or “neutered” to prevent more heartbreaking stories of strays. Thank goodness Naia found his way to Jodi, a fur mom with a big heart.

For those who are not aware, there is an animal cruelty law here in the Philippines. Republic Act No. 8485 states that those who are found guilty can get a jail sentence of six months to a year, needing to pay a fine of PHP 30,000.00. Animal cruelty includes any form of “torture, maltreatment, abuse, and neglect”.

While Jodi Sta. Maria does have a British Shorthair cat named Cherish, we’re sure that the two cats will get along soon.

More about fur babies and pets:

Is Your Kid Asking For A Pet? These Are The Best Pets To Start With
7 Celebrity Furmoms and Dads Who Can’t Get Enough of Their Furbabies
7 Parenting Lessons I Learned From Being a Fur Mom

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