Pregnant Colorado Street Cat Surprises Rescuer With Two Kittens And Bonus Toe Beans
When Heidi Shoemaker, the founder of Foster Kitten Mama and a true hero in cat rescue, got a call about a cat in distress, she knew she had to step in.
A pregnant cat needed a safe place to have her kittens, away from the dangers of the streets. Understanding that every animal deserves a chance, Heidi immediately agreed to take her in.
She arranged for transportation and set up a warm, cozy area filled with soft blankets for the soon-to-be mother cat, making it a perfect spot for her to give birth.
But life had a little twist in store. By the time the sweet tabby reached Heidi’s rescue, she had already given birth to two tiny kittens, snuggled up and surrounded by the love only a mother can provide.
Heidi soon discovered something unique about the mama cat – she had extra toes! With a mix of affection and fun, Heidi named her Mittens. As she shared in an interview:
“She is a polydactyl, which means she has six toe beans (on each front paw), giving her a little ‘thumb.'”
You can just picture Mittens showing off her extra toes, like built-in mittens – a perfect name! However, the cuteness didn’t end there.
One of the tabby kittens, named Jingle, looked just like Mittens, while the Siamese mix, Bell, also got her mom’s charming extra toes.
Bell had a loud voice that matched her big paws, and those extra toes probably helped her yell even better!
On the other hand, her brother Jingle was something special – he was one of the biggest kittens Heidi had ever seen at his age. She added:
“At over two weeks old, he weighed in at a whopping one pound and 0.3 ounces. We often struggle to get four-week-old kittens to a pound.”
Even before Jingle and Bell learned to walk without wobbling, they were already scheming their great escape.
Every time their mom stepped away for a moment (probably to grab a snack or take a quick break), these tiny explorers would waddle around, trying to break free from their safe spot.
Although they were still a bit clumsy, their determination was impressive, like little furry Houdinis in training.
Once they were big enough to play without tripping over themselves, Heidi set them up in a big playpen filled with toys. It was like a kitten paradise!
Before long, the two were happily drinking water and munching from a bowl, ready for their next big adventure – tackling the mountain of crinkle balls.
Jingle was completely captivated by all the new toys, especially the tower of tracks where he could sit like a tiny king looking over his realm.
Bell, the little polydactyl climber, was sure to become a pro with her extra toes giving her better grip. She loved to wrestle with her brother and skillfully catch toys with her big mittens – what an advantage!
The assortment of toys really brought out Mittens’ playful side. At just one year old, she was still very much a kitten.
Her eyes would sparkle at the sight of a feather toy, and she would eagerly reach for it with both front mittens while balancing on her hind legs, looking like a little furry ballerina.
Her kittens would gather around to watch her, often joining in and mimicking her graceful jumps and pounces.
Jingle, in particular, was thrilled by everything his mom did, following her lead and feeling encouraged when she showed him how to chase a laser pointer.
With this new opportunity, this little feline family is flourishing in foster care. Mittens no longer has to worry about food or shelter, and she won’t have to go through another pregnancy, leaving a life of constant worry behind.
Now, every winter, they are warm and happy, with full bellies, lots of toys to play with, and caring humans who give them endless love. They’re ready for a new beginning, all thanks to the kindness of a dedicated rescuer.
