Pregnant Kitten Abandoned In California Shelter Receives Love And Care In Foster Home

Hannah Shaw, better known as the Kitten Lady, has built a reputation for rescuing and raising countless neonatal kittens, many of whom were found without their mothers. 

But this particular story had a unique twist that made it extra special.

Hannah received an urgent call from a local San Diego shelter about a young cat mom who needed immediate help. Without a second thought, she rushed to the shelter to pick them up.

When she arrived, Hannah discovered something surprising: the momma, later named Pine, was only nine months old. According to PetMD, cats can get pregnant as early as four months old, which makes early spaying and neutering critical. 

Pine’s previous owners were likely unaware of this fact, which led to her very early pregnancy. Thankfully, they had responsibly brought her to a shelter instead of leaving her to fend for herself on the streets.

Pine had given birth to two kittens, but sadly, one had passed away. Hannah named the surviving little white kitten Twinkle. As sweet as the names were, the real work had just begun. 

Pine was young, inexperienced, and overwhelmed by her new role as a mother. It was completely normal for her to struggle, and that’s why Hannah was exactly the person she needed.

The most important priority was ensuring Twinkle was gaining weight and receiving proper care. Hannah closely monitored the kitten and checked that Pine was producing enough milk and letting her nurse properly. 

She weighed Twinkle every few hours, carefully tracking her growth. As Hannah explained in an update:

“One of the first things I need to do is assess what kind of care the kitten needs. Is the momma rolling over to let the baby nurse? When the mom is nursing the baby is she producing enough milk?”

In the first few days, Pine needed a lot of encouragement. Every time she lay down to nurse, Hannah offered cuddles and comfort, and she ensured that the surroundings were cozy and quiet. 

“One of the most important things when you take care of a mom and her kitten is that the mom is comfortable and happy because the mom is the one who really needs to be able to do the work.”

To make Pine comfortable, Hannah set up a big, cozy playpen with blankets and a warm bed. But initially, Pine ignored it, choosing instead to nurse Twinkle under a cold hardwood floor. 

Observing this, Hannah moved the playpen to a more suitable location, gently guiding Pine to use it. From that day forward, Pine stayed in the playpen, and Twinkle began to gain healthy weight.

Thanks to Hannah’s attentive care and Pine’s dedication, Twinkle flourished into a strong, healthy kitten. Hannah was there every step of the way, making sure both mom and kitten thrived. 

“Of course she has me, every single step of the way!”

This story is a heartwarming reminder of why early spay and neuter programs are so important. Had Pine not had Hannah to guide her, the outcome could have been very different. 

Fortunately, both mother and kitten now have the care, love, and knowledge they need to thrive.

It’s a perfect example of how patience, guidance, and compassion can give young animals a fighting chance, and teach even the youngest cats how to be the best mom possible.