February 19, 2012
Kim says: I’d actually never intended to own a cat, but saw her crawling along the side of the road and shrieking in the rain and picked her up without thinking. Then got back to my apartment and panicked; I had no idea what to do with a kitten. Luckily she ate some solid food and didn’t seem to be injured (although fairly traumatised). I bought some expensive flea remedy at the vet and knocked up a Web site hoping to find someone to adopt her with cute photos. I found a potential adopter within a couple of weeks, but by then of course it was too late -- I couldn’t let her go! Fortunately my stay in Shanghai, which had been scheduled to end a few weeks after I found her, has been extended indefinitely. Utopia and I will be here together for the foreseeable future.

Since then the Web site has gone viral and I get fairly regular e-mails about her. Most people seem to assume she was abandoned by someone, but I expect she never had a home and somehow became separated from her mother (not that there were any obvious candidates in sight). There are lots of strays in Shanghai; you often see them being fed by elderly Chinese women.

These days Utopia busies herself with making sure all my possessions are on the floor where they can be comfortably chewed.

All Photos Courtesy of and ©: Kim Laughton
Kim is a professional artist and owner of Kim Laughton Photography in Shanghai; please visit his Web site to see more of his amazing work

Comments and LOLs:
vicgag -
vicgag
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171 points
OMG, is she cute. Kudos to you for keeping her. She looks adorable with that little paint brush tail. So cute.
vicgag -
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vicgag
black kitten points
171 points
wokkawokka -
wokkawokka
black kitten points
229 points
I remember her from the first time she was posted. She's one of my favourite kittens this site has ever featured, such a cute little lady
JayPea -
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JayPea
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234 points
She looks so worried in this photo, like she is scared she is going to kicked back out in the rain. Wonderful thing that you did saving this baby!
vicgag -
vicgag
black kitten points
171 points
How to take care of a kitten:
1. Feed daily;
2. Fresh water daily;
3. Clean litter box daily;
4. Scratch behind the ears and neck several times a day; and
5. Love always.
Gabby -
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Gabby
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398 points
She's a survivor! Little Wise Beauty!!!!
Marlene -
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How kind you are, your heart softened at the right moment..she is adorable, you have done well clean her up and 'Vet' her. now that chewing of clothes, a kitten I got from the pound was doing that and the Vet told me she was missing her mother, mine was sucking on the chenile bath mat, so maybe a really soft toy might do the trick, but then again she relates your clothes to her mummy, which is you, she probably didn't have enough breast milk and the sponging they do with their paws.. haha... gorgeous sweet thing, so happy you have actually named her Utopia ! splendid name.. you are an angel yourself, did you know that? God bless the two of you, meow, hugs, Marlene xoxoxo
CarolB57 -
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CarolB57
gold kitten points
542 points
What interesting coloring on your lucky little sweetie! Hope all goes well for her in life and for you in yours. :)
CarolynE -
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CarolynE
gold star points
26 points
Peek a boo I see you! What an adorable little darling she is!
You are lucky to have her and she is lucky to have you too!
You will have many happy years together...enjoy!
Natthecat -
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Natthecat
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∞ points
@Kim, enjoyed your website, especially the shots from "Eclipse" with Juliet Stevenson and the CATS! I am very fond of Juliet and her acting. Also, @Vicgag has terrific kitty care instruction, above. And Utopia is a peach!
AnneFlat1 -
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AnneFlat1
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49 points
Cheer upUtopia. You're a very lucky girl. And cute
lisaboese -
lisaboese
gold kitten points
674 points
What a sweet, precious little girl Utopia is (and what a great name)!!! Hope you can keep her always!!!!
lisaboese -
lisaboese
gold kitten points
674 points
Thank you so, so much for saving her-- --such a hard start in life!!!
ltlred -
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ltlred
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46 points
What a great two-toned tail!
mma -
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mma
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1405 points
Utopia cleaned up very well, thanks to u. Kitties just climb right into your heart. I'm glad she's no longer alone in Shanghai.
Shirley -
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Shirley
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267 points
Yes I second what Marlene said, "You are an angel". Thank you for rescuing this precious little girl. Give her lots of love and attention and she will love you forever.
Snowysmom -
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Snowysmom
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395 points
Utopia is darling! Thank you for saving her. I'm sure you are enjoying all her antics, and she is appreciating your love and attention.
Petlovergirll -
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This is what I call the "golf tee tail" stage. So cute!!! You're very lucky and so is she!! :)
BirmanMama -
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BirmanMama
gold kitten points
951 points
Utopia is one very lucky little kitten to have found such a loving home. I can't imagine how awful it would be on the streets of Shanghai. Cute photos of a cute baby! Thank you.
megatha427 -
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megatha427
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381 points
I loved her splotched in the first picture, and I love her tail coloring in this one! Thank you for rescuing this lost little baby and giving her a warm (and dry!) home! <3
Chazerz -
chazerz
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11 points
Got that gimmie a treat or I'll expire look DOWN! <3
judymack812 -
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judymack812
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∞ points
Aw the poor little baby! How could you not just pick her up. She is a beautiful kitten with exceptional markings and I am truly glad you have each other to love!
kibblegirl -
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kibblegirl
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1057 points
Utopia looks like a tiny experienced huntress in this photo. I am so glad that you decided to keep her and I hope that you plan on taking her with you when you relocate in the future, Kim.
CatLoverLady -
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CatLoverLady
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36 points
Bless your heart! Poor little thing, what a sad story :( She is such an inquisitive-looking little cutie in this picture.
CarolynF -
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The eyes of love
itigger2 -
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itigger2
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277 points
SO happy you found her and not sure anyone could resist this adorable baby
mrskitton -
mrskitton
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584 points
She is truly adorable! Thank you for rescuing her!!
Lynda -
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Lynda
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94 points
I am lovin the tail !!
Darcy -
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Obviously Utopia misses mommie! If you keep letting her get into the soy sauce, you are just going to have to lick it off her face like mommie would!
Darcy -
We are getting photos of a lot of "bai ss de mao" (Chinese for white cats). I'm happy to see catties of every color. Bring on some Easter colored cats!
amycats -
amycats
gold kitten points
641 points
U-u-u, what a captivating face on this little one! Great photos! 漂亮的小猫!Also was fascinated by the website--Shanghai has really changed since I was last there!
amycats -
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amycats
gold kitten points
641 points
Hard to pick a favorite...but here goes...
BooksandCats -
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BooksandCats
gold kitten points
502 points
How lucky you were there to rescue this sweet baby!
mimija -
mimija
silver star pointssilver star points
10 points
What a cutie love the colouring and especially the tail :)
vidhi511 -
vidhi511
gold star points
27 points
your story is so inspiring. My Crystal almost shares the same history. But I can't keep her. You're lucky you found her. God bless you.
MimiClacla -
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MimiClacla
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37 points
Ok, it's done: I'm completely hypnotized !!!!!!!! :-)
Barbara -
Barbara
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89 points
She's a beauty. Love the tail!
mairaferrari -
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mairaferrari
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16 points
mairaferrari -
mairaferrari
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16 points
SO SWEET!
Mzkabibble -
Mzkabibble
black kitten points
170 points
Everything happens for a reason...
Perhaps she's the guardian angel you've been missing?
Smooch -
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Smooch
gold kitten points
736 points
Oh, I couldn't have passed this scrap of a kitten by without wanting to take her home either! She must have been so frightened and you saved her life for sure. Thank you for being so caring and I am glad you couldn't give her up! That tail is to die for! She is adorable and you are wonderful!



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