Earlier this year, while walking near her home in Brazil, Renata spotted a cat who stopped her in her tracks. He was wandering the streets alone — sick, starving and in desperate need of help.

“He was just skin and bones,” Renata told The Dodo. “I believe he had been abandoned.”

The cat, encrusted with painful blisters caused by a severe skin condition, had apparently been surviving on handouts from locals. But Renata knew that he needed so much more.

“I just wanted him to live with dignity,” Renata said.

Renata named the sad street cat Renatinho, and quickly began to earn his trust.

In time, Renatinho allowed himself to be rescued. Renata then rushed to get him a medical evaluation. The little cat’s condition was worse than she imagined.

“When the vet ran the tests, we realized how serious the situation was,” Renata said. “His little body was fighting against everything at the same time.”

But Renata refused to give up on him, and Renatinho refused to give up on himself. Soon, everything began to change.

Here’s a video showing Renatinho’s rescue, treatment and incredible transformation:

Thanks to all of Renata’s love and care, Renatinho became a whole new cat. And along the way, she changed, too.

“I was recovering from almost two years of depression,” Renata said. “Finding him felt like a moment of faith and hope.”

In the end, Renata decided to give Renatinho a forever home with her. But this is really only the beginning of what will be a lifelong journey.

“Today Renatinho is healthy, playful, and never leaves my side,” Renata said. “And somehow, by saving him, he also saved me.”