'Scowling' kitten who became an internet sensation dies days after going viral

04 August 2023 , 20:33

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Tater Tot was give two mismatched casts after being taken to the vet following his rescue by Ash, who was walking with his dog at the time (Image: Jam Press/@ourfosterbabes)

A disabled kitten with a permanently angry faced has died days after going viral - capturing social media users' hearts.

Tater Tot, a tiny kitten with a messy mane, was found by Ash Houghton's border collie outside her Utah home when he was just one day old. Ash became his foster mum, taking the unique looking baby feline into her home to care for.

The ginger moggie went on to have tiny casts placed on his two front legs to fix bone injuries - with Ash nicknaming the pink bandages his "bodankabonks". After posing pictures of the her new pet online, the internet fell in love with Tater Tot.

However, Ash has now taken to social media with a sad update after Tater Tot's passing - saying the "tiny little potato had such a profound impact on my heart".

Tater Tot cuddles a soft toy while his two front legs are bound in pink and green casts (Jam Press/@ourfosterbabes)

Tater Tot captured hearts online (Jam Press Vid/@ourfosterbabes)

Ash wrote: "Today, our tiny spud, passed away suddenly in my hands,' Ash, who runs the Kitty Crusaid rescue charity, wrote. His energy has been slowly decreasing over the last week or so, and with how sudden his passing was today, I truly think he had an enlarged heart and it couldn't keep up with him. One moment he was walking around and the next he was gone.

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"This tiny little potato has had such a profound impact on my heart, and I am so unbelievably happy I got to share him with the entire world. What started as me sharing some photos of the goofy new foster I had turned into an entire community focused on kindness, humor and compassion.

"I am astounded at the reach Tater Tot's story had, and I cannot express to you just how incredible it has been to see how he has impacted the world."

Tater Tot became an instant hit thanks to his scruffy mane and angry face (Jam Press Vid/@ourfosterbabes)

Tater Tot stretching out his mismatched casts (Jam Press/@ourfosterbabes)

Tater Tot's story attracted thousands of cat lovers across the world, with some creating fan art in his memory.

Ash had been documenting the five-week-old kitten’s progress online. The recent news has left fans heartbroken. One fan wrote: "Not me and my husband both crying over here…Thank you for sharing Tater Toy with us. Our hearts go out to you and everyone else who is feeling his loss,” added a third fan."

Another added: “Nooo I'm so upset. Poor lil tater tot. He made such a big impact in such a small space of time on this earth."

Abigail O'Leary