New Jersey Team Finds Tiny Kittens In A Basket, Then Learns A Shocking Truth About Their ‘Mom’

At the Homeless Animal Adoption League in Clifton, New Jersey, saving animals and giving them a second chance is more than a mission. It’s a way of life.

The team has faced countless rescues, but one stood out above the rest.

A concerned local reached out, describing a small laundry basket left by the side of the road, filled with tiny kittens.

The caller admitted he couldn’t bring himself to leave them, but he also hesitated to handle the situation because the mother cat was there, keeping watch over her babies.

The league usually focuses on shelter work rather than street rescues, yet the urgency of the situation was clear. Rain was beginning to fall, and the temperature was dropping fast.

When they arrived, they were met with a moving scene: a black cat curled protectively around her newborn kittens, shielding them from the cold and wet. The league shared in a Facebook post:

“We saw a recycling container on the curb. Cuddled together with a mommy cat keeping them warm was at least four kittens. They were about 4-5 weeks old. Mom was quiet and looked up as if to say thank God you found us.”

The rescuers quickly gathered the little family and brought them to the shelter. The kittens, six in total, were surprisingly healthy, which brought relief to everyone involved.

But when they checked on the devoted “mother,” they couldn’t believe what they saw. The cat who had been caring for the kittens was actually male!

He groomed, cuddled, and watched over the kittens as if they were his own. The league shared their amazement:

“He could have been the dad or a big brother from another litter, but to those little kittens he was their protector and surrogate mom. That little cat has taught us that you do what you have to do to protect the most vulnerable.”

The team named him “Mrs. Doubtfire” in honor of his surprising motherly instincts. His story spread quickly, inspiring volunteers and animal lovers alike.

Soon, Mrs. Doubtfire and the kittens were placed in foster care. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, with him constantly watching over his tiny charges.

Then one day, Mrs. Doubtfire began struggling to breathe. A visit to the vet revealed a diaphragmatic hernia, likely the result of past trauma. The league explained:

“His diaphragm was torn and his stomach and intestines have moved into his chest cavity. This injury is usually seen in cats that have been hit by cars or have suffered a trauma such as a kick.”

The news was absolutely heartbreaking. This resilient, loving cat, who had shown so much devotion and courage, now faced a serious, potentially life-threatening condition.

Surgery was an option, though it came with significant risks and a price tag that could reach up to $8,000.

Despite the challenges, there was a glimmer of hope: the survival rate stood at about 65 percent. The league immediately rallied around him, determined to give him the best chance possible, sharing:

“Right now Mrs. Doubtfire is happy and comfortable and isn’t showing any major physical problems. The doctor said that cats can live a long time with the condition, and she has had patients that had the condition and their owners didn’t even know about it.”

Not long after, Mrs. Doubtfire’s foster family decided to adopt him. Renamed Mrs. Francis Doubtfire, he’s mostly called Frankie.

Now, safe in his forever home, Frankie is thriving. Surrounded by playful companions and attentive humans, his days are full of joy.

He has a bright future ahead, filled with the warmth, care, and happiness he’s always deserved.