New Hampshire Shelter Cat Steps In As A Gentle Mother To A Kitten Who Needed Her Most
Honeybun, a gentle orange cat, has earned a special reputation at Spicy Cats Rescue in New Hampshire. Whenever a kitten needs comfort, Honeybun is the first to step in, offering the kind of love only a devoted mother can give.
She originally came to the rescue through their TNR program. Even from her very first days there, it was clear she had a nurturing heart.
Honeybun raised her own kittens with care, and once they had grown, she continued to open her paws to others in need. Over time, she became a steady source of warmth and reassurance for countless kittens who have passed through the shelter.
Caroline, president of Spicy Cats Rescue, shared in an interview:
“She is the most even-keeled cat ever. She’s not fazed by about anything.”
And really, that calm and motherly nature is exactly what made Honeybun so special.
Just when everyone thought Honeybun had earned her retirement from motherhood, fate stepped in with a surprise unlike any other.
A new little one needed her help, but this “kitten” didn’t look like the others.
It was a six-week-old bobcat, rescued by Millstone Wildlife Center. She had lost her family and cried for a companion, the kind of comfort no human could ever truly replace.
She didn’t just need food or shelter; she needed a mama. Frannie from Millstone explained the delicate challenge:
“We do our best to provide the best nutrition, habitat, and medical care for our animals. With animals that easily habituate, we need to be especially careful that they are not comfortable around humans. That is tricky when you have a social animal that needs playtime, snuggle time, and a little help with grooming too.”
That’s when the team came up with an idea. If the bobkitten couldn’t have her real mom, maybe she could have a surrogate. And immediately, one name came to mind: Honeybun.
Caroline shared:
“Honeybun was an easy pick, being so maternal and having raised probably dozens of kittens in the past.”
The moment the bobkitten met Honeybun, it was like the missing piece had finally fallen into place.
Honeybun stayed calm, waiting patiently, while the bobkitten lit up with excitement at meeting her new “mom.”
What followed was pure magic. The little bobkitten purred loudly, sniffed, and rubbed against Honeybun like she had known her forever.
Soon enough, they were curled up side by side, trading cuddles and grooming sessions.
Honeybun, ever patient, even let the bigger “kitten” climb all over her and pounce as much as she wanted.
Within days, the bobkitten began to thrive. She learned how to groom, how to eat like a big cat, and most importantly, how to feel safe again. Caroline was overjoyed, sharing:
“They’ve been together a week tomorrow and are doing great. They snuggle, eat, and sleep together. The bob kitten tries to play with Honey all the time.”
Thanks to Honeybun, the little bobkitten has a mama to look up to while she grows strong enough for her journey back into the wild.
And for Honeybun, well, she proved once again that her heart knows no limits.
Even when the “kitten” in need turned out to be much bigger and wilder than the rest, she simply did what she does best: love unconditionally.
So in the end, a shelter cat and a wild bobkitten became the most unlikely little family. And maybe that’s the most beautiful part of rescue work: love has no boundaries, and sometimes, the perfect mother shows up in the unlikeliest form.
