Mei

Many abnormal animals experience a polarizaiton of others' attitudes towards them. Some are loved for their differences, a wonder of life, a miracle to behold. Others were shunned, treated as mistakes and pariahs. Mutated lions, physically weaker creatures, ones whose purposes were less obvious to others.
Mei was lucky enough to grow up on the good end of this, but empathetic enough to know exactly what befell those who weren't as fortunate, and compassionate enough to do something about it. She gathered those around her who were shunned, or hunted, or disregarded, and gave them a home. Her pride found it unusual, but have since come to love the company of her and her friends.
A small deer, looked at as an undead abomination, became an adorable companion, yet unappetizing to the pride. Her spiders were no longer invasive pests, but useful creatures who caught the flies that bothered them all in the heat of summer. Birds and bunnies brought them trinkets and fur for nests.