Hoge’s Heroes: 9-Year-Old Trades His Skateboard to Rescue a Kitten
People who hurt animals deserve harsh judgment. Watching a creature suffer for kicks is sick, and a nine-year-old in Yuma refused to stand by. His name is Zayin Berry.
In December 2024 at a local skate park, Zayin watched older kids toss a tiny orange kitten “like he was a football,” even slamming it to the ground. The cat was badly injured and looked like it wouldn’t survive much longer if the abuse continued.
Zayin acted fast, offering his prized skateboard if they would let the animal go. The older kids took the board and walked off. Zayin scooped up the kitten and ran to find his mother.
“He was so small and little when I picked him up, he was meowing, and I ran over to my mom and told her I found this kitty, and he needs our help.”
His mother, Rhiannon Berry, said her son came running toward her moments later, holding the small orange kitten in his arms. “You could hear its breathing was all congested and his paws were all caked with gunk on it,” she said.
Zayin and his mother rushed the injured animal to the local humane society, where staff treated the wounds and fought to stabilize him. Despite severe injuries, the kitten pulled through and finished recovery at the shelter. He now shares a home with Zayin and has become the boy’s full-time favorite companion.
For his quick thinking and courage, Zayin was named the ASPCA’s “Kid of the Year” for 2025, with the award ceremony held earlier this October. It’s a big honor for a child who acted without hesitation.
Congratulations, young man, you certainly deserve it:
When neighbors learned what happened, people chipped in to help with veterinary bills and to buy Zayin a new board. The humane society praised the boy, and local volunteers made sure Peaches had a safe recovery. Small acts like that mattered.
The cat, now named Peaches, required surgery after an infection that damaged one eye, but vets worked through the complications. After treatment and follow-up care, Peaches blossomed into a playful, affectionate pet. He settled into a busy household that includes other cats and dogs.
“He loves me and sleeps right next to my face and gives me kisses in the morning. We are meant to be together, and I saved him. He’s mine.
He is my best friend,” Zayin says of life with Peaches today.
The community celebration was welcome, but accountability matters. I want to see authorities identify and charge the people who hurt that kitten, not just replace a skateboard. Justice for animals should matter as much as relief for the rescued.
This article is part of an occasional series about everyday heroes and how small choices change lives. If you know someone who did something brave or kind, send a tip to the editorial desk or DM the team on Twitter. We’ll consider stories big and small.
