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8-Year-Old Hero Trades Skateboard To Save Kitten From Abuse

December 24, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Yuma, Arizona.

In a heartwarming display of courage and compassion, 8-year-old Zayin Berry from Yuma became a local hero after saving a kitten from cruelty.

Credit: Arizona's Family (3TV / CBS 5)

During a visit to a local park with his mother, Rhiannon Berry, Zayin witnessed a group of children abusing a kitten by tossing it around like a football.

Determined to protect the tiny animal, Zayin acted quickly and selflessly. He ran up to the group and offered his prized skateboard in exchange for the kitten. The children agreed, and Zayin rushed the kitten, later named Peaches, home to safety.

The Berry family decided to adopt Peaches and took him to the Humane Society of Yuma for medical care. Unfortunately, Peaches had suffered from an upper respiratory infection that required one of his eyes to be surgically removed. Despite this, Zayin’s love for the kitten never wavered.

“We explained to him that Peaches was going to lose his eye,” Rhiannon shared, “but he said that was ‘fine as long as he can live because that’s my best friend.’”

Peaches is now recovering well in his new forever home, where he is surrounded by love and care.

Zayin’s selflessness didn’t go unnoticed. The Humane Society of Yuma, along with the skateboard retailer Zumiez, surprised him with a gift card to replace the skateboard he gave away to save Peaches.

Meet Zayin in the video below.