When Batman came into Katherine and Joshua's lives, the Adelaide-based couple had been through an emotionally tough time and were coming to terms with secondary infertility.
The black-and-white kitten was fostered into their home in May 2019, mere hours after being rescued and brought into RSPCA's Lonsdale shelter.
When Batman instantly bonded with his foster parents, it became clear that the young family needed the small kitten just as much as he needed them.
A 'foster fail' was destined.
"We are a blended family - I brought two human children and two cats into the marriage. We had been discussing adopting a third cat together to complete our family, as we are unable to have a human baby together," Katherine tells us.
'Batman chose us, not the other way around'
Batman has earned his brave namesake, arriving in foster care covered in fleas and in so much pain. As it turns out, the kitten was experiencing further health struggles of his own.
A severe case of cat flu saw him rushed to the Animal Emergency Centre in Adelaide. He then returned to the Lonsdale shelter for supportive care before his new family could officially adopt him.
Cat flu left Batman with a bit of a weepy eye due to a scarred tear duct, but being the brave cat he is, Katherine says it doesn't bother him at all.
Throughout the time Katherine and Joshua fostered Batman, it became very clear that letting him go wouldn't be an option.
"Batman chose us," Katherine says. "Not the other way around."
Despite his weepy eye, the resilient kitty still likes to strike a pose and holds a brave face.
Timid and shy at first, Batman is now the ruler of the home
Batman soon became everyone's pampered favourite and quickly settled into life with his new family.
He loves to play games with feline brothers Moses and Koko and even watches Netflix with dad Joshua - after (im)patiently waiting for him to arrive home, that is!
One of his favourite tricks is rolling onto his back and begging for tummy rubs when he catches a family member looking in his direction. The affectionate kitty is always looking for a lap to sit on and cuddle.
Katherine and Joshua say their family could not be happier with their newest feline member - so, of course, they just had to do a 'newborn photoshoot' with Batman to commemorate the occasion.
'He is one handsome kitten and he knows it'
Katherine and Josh are so grateful to Batman for the absolute joy he's brought to them and the deep love he has for life - even if he is a little bit vain.
"He is one handsome kitten and he knows it," they joke.
While Katherine and Josh feel lucky to have Batman, with his rough start to life, the kitty is just as lucky to have them.
The two say they couldn't be more thrilled to be "able to give him a life of love, comfort, food and care that he would not otherwise have been able to have".
If you are looking for your purr-fect companion and are considering opening your heart and home to a rescued animal, head over here to see all of our animals currently available for adoption.
