A cat waited 99 days to get her wish while caring for her own kittens and helping nine others.
Tina, a 2-year-old cat, came to Exploits Valley SPCA with two kittens. She was sweet-natured but very protective of her babies.
One busy morning, the shelter received another litter of kittens desperately needing a nursing mom. Their own mother was being treated at the hospital and could no longer care for them. At three days old, their eyes were still closed, and their ears were folded.
Tina didn’t hesitate to take them in and began caring for half of the litter while another nursing mom, Tushy, helped with the rest.
“She was nursing her own babies as well as the foster kittens she took in,” the SPCA shared. “She wouldn’t let us touch her or her babies.”
The two moms shared responsibilities to ensure all the kittens (including their own) were well cared for. “They got used to each other and even worked together to raise these sweet babies. Talk about teamwork.”
Tina’s own kittens, a few weeks older, immediately took to the tiny newcomers. They washed their faces and cuddled them after feedings, eager to help them out. “The ‘mini’ foster babies grew up fast and loved their foster moms and siblings.”
They nursed side by side until they filled their bellies to the brim, then drifted off to sleep in a pile.
Tina gave all the kittens equal attention and love, often wrapping them in her warm embrace and purring them to sleep.
A few weeks later, the kittens moved from their nursery to a spacious room. Their doting mom watched over them every step of the way, guiding and nurturing them as they honed their feline skills.
When the smaller kittens were ready to eat independently, Tina led them to their dishes and encouraged them to try. The kittens watched as she took a few bites, then eagerly tried to imitate her.
With Tina’s encouragement, they soon mastered the art of eating, using the litter box, and even climbing the cat trees.
When her own kittens and the two foster babies were old enough for adoption, they quickly found good homes, while Tina patiently waited for the right family to come along.
During that time, two more kittens arrived at the shelter needing a mother. She took them under her wing as soon as she heard their cries. Shortly after, another five kittens showed up, and “she treated them as her own as well.”
“She cleaned them, played with them, and gave them a swat when they were being naughty – she did it all. The best mama around hoped she would soon be chosen as someone’s baby.”
When all her foster kittens had homes lined up for them, she hadn’t received any interest but still held onto the hope that her turn would come soon.
After caring for 11 kittens, Tina was ready to be a pampered only cat in a loving home. She greeted visitors affectionately at the door, hoping that today would be the day her wish came true.
A lovely woman came to see Tina after hearing her story, and it was love at first sight.
“After 99 days in the shelter, raising two of her own babies, adding four foster kittens, plus another five, Tina is now the baby of her own home.
“She was happily adopted yesterday and is going to be so spoiled.”
