When Shelby Elko went to Menards to buy concrete, she never expected to walk away with something far more precious — a life in need of saving.

As Shelby and her husband stood in the outdoor section doing the math for their purchase, they suddenly froze. A faint, desperate meow cut through the noise of the busy store.

“At first I thought I was imagining it,” Shelby said. “But then we both heard it again, and my heart sank. Somewhere nearby, a baby was crying for help.”

Following the sound, the couple traced it to a shrink-wrapped pallet of lava rocks. To their shock, the plastic was trembling ever so slightly. Something was alive inside.

Her husband quickly tore through the thick plastic with his hands. And then, as if by miracle, a tiny kitten tumbled out, landing safely on a pile of bags. His cries were weak, but he was breathing — and alive.

Shelby scooped him into her arms. He was fragile, no more than a few days old, and his tiny body still shook from fear and exhaustion. There were no other kittens or a mother cat to be found. He had been trapped there — alone, starving, and forgotten.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Shelby said through tears. “How long had he been in there, crying with no one to hear him?”

The couple rushed him home, where Shelby carefully bottle-fed him warm milk every two hours. Despite his rough start, the little survivor began to purr softly after his first meal, as if he knew he was finally safe.

They gave him the name Oscar — a name to symbolize his second chance at life.

Now, weeks later, Oscar has grown stronger each day. He’s playful, curious, and loves snuggling in the crook of Shelby’s arm. What started as a routine trip for concrete turned into a heartwarming rescue story that has touched thousands online.

“This tiny soul could have been lost forever,” Shelby said. “But he was meant to be found. And now, he’ll never be alone again.”

Oscar’s journey is a reminder of the resilience of animals — and the power of compassion in the most unexpected moments.