Abandoned animals often go overlooked, but some people just can’t walk away. One such person’s decision to help a pregnant mama cat changed her life forever.
It all began when a passerby found a crate in bushland with several cats and kittens snuggled close for warmth.
But one cat caught their attention right away – a heavily pregnant mama, clearly exhausted and in need of urgent care.
The discovery stunned the stranger, but they wasted no time stepping up to help. They scooped them up and hurried to the vet, all while the clouds darkened with an approaching storm.
It was a race against time to save them, but they made it just in time.
Soon, the compassionate team at Best Friends Felines stepped in, determined to give these kitties the future they deserved.
In her foster home, Tam’s true personality blossomed. She explored her new surroundings, delighted by endless bowls of food.
Her foster mom quickly learned Tam’s favorite trick – soft paw taps late at night reminding her to refill the food bowl, as Best Friends Felines shared in a Facebook post:
“She has enjoyed snoozing on a very comfy human bed, and eating quality food from a constantly refilling food bowl (yes – even if that means her carer is woken by gentle pats of the paw at 3 am to hurry up and top the food bowl up again).”
The foster family couldn’t help but laugh at Tam’s charm. She seemed every bit a regal lady, until she sprawled out to reveal her round belly, as the rescue shared:
“From one angle, she looks elegant and sleek with her big, trusting eyes. But let her relax, and you’ll spot her round baby belly – looking like she’s hiding a basketball of kittens in there.”
Days turned into nights, and Tam made herself at home, resting and munching her way to a healthier, happier version of herself.
Her glossy coat gleamed, and her gentle nature made everyone fall in love. But her foster family couldn’t help but wonder, when would the kittens arrive?
The answer came early one Monday morning. Tam began to labor, ignoring the cozy birthing spaces set up for her. Instead, she chose her foster mom’s bed, as the rescue shared on Facebook:
“Tam made it clear where she wanted to be – on her carer’s lap, on the bed, close to the person who had cared for her. Time after time, she returned to her carer’s side, refusing to give birth anywhere else.”
As the hours dragged on without progress, concern grew. Tam needed help, and quickly.
At the vet clinic, a dedicated team sprang into action, preparing Tam for an emergency c-section. It was a rare and delicate procedure, as the rescue explained:
“The decision was made to perform a rare c-section – a procedure so uncommon that one of the vet nurses, with eight years of experience, had never seen one before.”
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Before long, six tiny kittens were born, each one making their way into the world. The rescue announced the happy news:
“Soon, Tam’s six beautiful kittens entered the world, each one named after Arnott’s biscuits: Kingston, Shortbread, Vo Vo, Ripple, Delta, and Quattro.”
Their arrival, though, wasn’t without its challenges. The kittens faced serious complications that put their lives at risk, requiring round-the-clock care to pull through.
Sadly, one kitten didn’t survive, but the rest clung to life. The next two days were crucial. Tam, still recovering, needed all the care her foster family could give.
The kittens were monitored closely, weighed every two hours, and supplemented with bottle feeds when necessary. One of them, Shortbread, stood out. His unique palate made feeding tricky, but his determination shone through.
Tam nursed her kittens and watched over them with tender care. As she recovered, her vibrant personality began to shine again.
Unlike most mama cats who prefer quiet and solitude, Tam was a total social butterfly. She loved being around people and didn’t hesitate to make her rounds around the house.
She would dart from room to room, bringing smiles to everyone she met, before hurrying back to check on her babies, as Best Friends Felines shared:
“It’s been a joy to watch her unwind and enjoy some fun amidst the happy chaos of the kitten room.”
Her little ones were just as full of surprises as their mom. Vocal and curious, they meowed greetings whenever a human entered the room.
The kittens’ milestones came at lightning speed like they couldn’t wait to explore their little world. They completely skipped the crawling stage and jumped straight into wobbly running within no time.
Even weaning was a breeze as they transitioned straight to eating like their mom, making everyone laugh with their eager attempts to grow up too fast.
Today, Tam and her kittens are thriving. Thanks to the kindness of a stranger who refused to walk past an abandoned crate and the tireless dedication of volunteers, this little family was given a fresh start.
Their future is filled with hope, joy, and endless possibilities, proving just how powerful a simple act of kindness can be.
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