At the Small Family Home in Ledići, operated by Foundation Second in cooperation with the Home for Children Without Parental Care Sarajevo, live two small but special stories – Miki and Mrvica. Their names were given to them by the children.

Today, they are cats that approach people without fear, sleep beside children, and seek attention whenever someone sits in the yard or enters the house. But their beginning was far from easy.

At the beginning of winter, they were found in very poor condition – exhausted, malnourished, and ill. Both suffered from giardia, a persistent infection that can quickly weaken the bodies of young kittens. Days passed with treatments, cleaning, feeding small meals, and constant care.

After being taken to Sarajevo, they slowly began to recover and regain their strength through warmth, treatment, and continuous care. Once they became strong enough, they returned to Ledići – this time to a much safer and warmer environment.

In the meantime, Foundation Second renovated and equipped an old barn near the house and transformed it into a Mini Cat Barn. Contractors were hired, materials purchased, and the space insulated to protect the cats from winter cold, snow, and mountain temperatures.

Its development was supported by many friends of Foundation Second, including Semir Šljivo, a driver at the Home for Children Without Parental Care Sarajevo, as well as Fehim Huskić and his wife Esmeralda, who built cat houses and helped make the space warm and safe.

The Mini Cat Barn is now important not only for Miki and Mrvica. Every day, other local village cats come for food, having learned that they will always find a meal and a safe place there.

A special part of this story is the relationship that Foundation Second Director Belma Mujezinović built with the cats from the very beginning. While they were still frightened and ill, Miki and Mrvica were gently introduced to human touch, closeness, and a sense of safety. The days spent treating, feeding, carrying, and cuddling them helped them develop complete trust in people.

Today, they constantly seek attention, climb into children's laps, sleep completely relaxed on their backs, and happily allow themselves to be carried, cuddled, and rocked to sleep. Thanks to this unique bond, they have become true little therapy cats.

Two months ago, Mrvica went through another difficult period. She was frequently ill, and veterinarians eventually diagnosed pyometra – a serious uterine infection. Her uterus was filled with pus, and without timely surgery there was a significant risk of rupture and sepsis, which could have been fatal.

Thanks to a rapid response and surgery to remove the infected uterus, Mrvica's life was saved. After several days of recovery, she returned to Ledići, to Miki and the children.

Today, Miki and Mrvica are almost one year old, yet they remain small in size. Due to the poor conditions in which they spent the first months of their lives, their development was delayed, making them appear younger than they really are. Still, what they lacked then is now replaced with safety, care, and daily human interaction.

Their presence in Ledići carries a much deeper significance.

Through what is professionally known as feline-assisted therapy, cats can help children develop a sense of security, reduce anxiety, and express emotions more easily. Interaction with animals often encourages empathy, responsibility, and emotional connection.

In Ledići, this can be seen every day – in the moments when children fall asleep more peacefully beside the cats, carry them around the yard, pet them, or simply sit quietly next to them.

Miki and Mrvica have become an important part of the alternative care model that Foundation Second is developing through the Small Family Home in Ledići – a place where children have the opportunity to experience the warmth of home, nature, community, and safe relationships.

Foundation Second invites everyone who would like to support the Mini Cat Barn by making a donation marked "For Cats". Donations are used for food, veterinary examinations and treatment, sterilizations, equipment and maintenance of the shelter, as well as therapeutic activities involving animal care and interaction between children and cats. Every contribution helps ensure that Miki, Mrvica, and their four-legged friends continue to have a safe home, while children gain the opportunity to develop responsibility, empathy, and love through their relationship with animals.

Information on how to donate is available here.

Because sometimes, through caring for animals, children learn the most important lessons of all – kindness, trust, and love.