A heartwarming story of compassion has emerged from the Indonesian island of Bali, where a tourist's holiday transformed into a life-changing rescue mission for two vulnerable stray kittens.
An Unexpected Encounter
The tale begins with Ashleigh, who documents her life on Instagram under the handle @bennjamin_ashleigh. While exploring Ubud with her partner nearly two years ago, she stumbled upon two ginger kittens in desperate need of help. Overwhelmed with emotion, Ashleigh knew immediately that she could not abandon the helpless pair to suffer on the streets.
In a sweet video clip from the encounter, the tiny kittens can be heard meowing incessantly. Without a second thought, Ashleigh scooped them up using her bucket hat as a makeshift carrier. A man nearby, witnessing the scene, encouraged her, saying, "You want to adopt? Okay, adopt please." To which Ashleigh was heard responding, "We have to take them."
The Road to a Forever Home
Ashleigh's commitment to the kittens did not end with that initial act of rescue. She took the felines, now named Cheeto and Nacho, under her care. Her first priorities were to provide them with food, shelter, and a thorough check-up from a veterinarian to ensure they were healthy.
Reflecting on the event on her Instagram, Ashleigh captioned the video: "Bali said: You look like you two need a dependant or two." She later confirmed that this was not a fleeting holiday romance, adding, "They found me nearly 2 years ago in Ubud! Yes, I still have them." Her Instagram highlights, under a 'pets' section, show the pair living a content and happy life.
A Complex but Worthwhile Process
While Ashleigh's Instagram page suggests she now lives in Bali, making the process simpler, relocating animals from the island is typically a complex endeavour. It is currently illegal to fly cats directly out of Bali due to strict rabies control measures.
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, the official process involves working with a pet relocation company to legally transport the animal via another Indonesian island to an authorised export city. Once there, the owner must meticulously follow the import requirements of the destination country, which include microchipping, necessary vaccinations, and obtaining an official health certificate from a local vet.
Despite the effort and red tape, the outcome for Cheeto and Nacho proves that for the right person, it is a challenge worth undertaking.
The story has resonated deeply with social media users. One person shared a similar experience, writing, "Happened to me in Morocco! I'm bringing him home to London next month!" Another commenter gushed, "Awwwww, they were SO hungry!!! Bless your heart, sweet lady... These will be the happiest years of your life." The heartwarming rescue serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person's kindness can have on the lives of animals in need.
