Arlington Shelter Welcomes 7 Orphaned Kittens With Open Arms Saving Them From Tragic Fate

Imagine seven tiny fluffballs, their eyes barely open, struggling to hang on. That was the heartbreaking reality for a litter of kittens left alone with no protection.

Thankfully, their story took a brighter turn when they were brought to Penny Richards’ foster home, a safe place overflowing with love and care.

Penny, an experienced foster with the Animal Welfare League of Arlington (AWLA), is well known for her big heart and her talent for caring for orphaned kittens.

The moment she learned about this fragile litter needing bottle feeds, she acted right away. With their tiny lives hanging in the balance, there was no time to lose.

They were just born, maybe even less than a day old, as Penny shared in an interview:

“When they arrived, I could tell they were no more than 24 hours old – perhaps even a bit younger.”

Newborn kittens need their mother’s first milk in those early hours of life, and without it, they can become very fragile.

Even so, Penny made sure this little group had every chance to survive, caring for them as tenderly as a mother cat would.

Thankfully, they were fairly healthy despite their size. The tiniest of them, David, weighed just 67 grams, no more than a few spoonfuls.

The first few days were a blur of round-the-clock feedings, careful monitoring, and endless affection.

Three of the kittens struggled with tummy troubles, something often seen in babies without a mother.

With nonstop care and the right medicine, they pulled through. Watching them grow stronger and hungrier each day filled Penny with relief and hope.

All seven were now thriving, eager to eat and showing a fierce will to live.

Their personalities soon began to shine – Lucy, the biggest of the litter, and David, the tiny but determined fighter, stood out right away.

Edgar, the little cow tabby, had a special talent for falling asleep right after mealtime.

The rest of the gang, Star, Alan, Michael, and Sam, were full of curiosity, constantly scheming escapes and exploring beyond their incubator.

As the days passed, their playful sides came to life. They wrestled with each other, darted around in mock chases, and practiced their kneading skills on anything within reach – even Penny’s notebook!

The sound of their happy purring and little meows filled the room with a beautiful melody of happiness. Penny mentioned:

“As soon as they have each finished their meal, they purr loudly as they climb up for a cuddle with me. I can already tell they will be a very loving and cuddly group.”

Those seven tiny kittens, once so uncertain of their future, now have the chance to grow strong and healthy thanks to the care they received in those crucial first days.

It feels like the perfect way to close their story, don’t you think?