Poor Guardakitty

[TommyT139]

3. We had a similar situation, age-wise

...where we thought (as did the rescue) that our boy was younger, yet deduced later that he must really have been a couple years old.

Knowing how many rescue cats the place deals with, I think they just guessed and did the best they could. And if part of their guess was based on size and growth, it makes sense to me that a cat from an overcrowded situation would be a bit undersized.

People who are doing animal rescue and fostering these days are up against some bad times, and trying to protect the beings put at great risk thereby.

I'm glad the groomer helped you out, giving your little guy a new start. He might not be a literal "kitten," but now that he's with you, this might actually be his first year in a decent home, with food, warmth, and care.