Pennsylvania Rescuers Save Feral Cat And Her Four Babies Then Discover One Kitten Stands Out

Feral Cat And Her Four Babies

When the volunteers at Cat Tales, a rescue group in Pennsylvania, spotted a feral mother cat with her newborn kittens, they knew the little family needed to be brought somewhere safe.

Catching her was no simple task, as she was frightened and fiercely protective of her babies. Still, with patience and skill, the volunteers managed to bring the whole family in.

kittens in the cat house
Credit: Cat Tales

The rescuers set the mother cat up in a calm, cosy space where she could tend to her kittens without fear.

With just a few days of gentle care, she began to relax, and her little ones started showing signs of progress too.

adorable kittens settled in the cat house
Credit: Cat Tales

As the days passed and the kittens continued to grow, it quickly became clear that one of them was very different from the rest.

One of the kittens, Rye, was way smaller than his siblings and that worried their caretakers. A fosterer at Cat Tales shared in an interview:

“Around six weeks in, it was noticed that the kittens were rather small, with Rye being the runt.”

Concerned about their wellbeing, foster parent Tracey stepped in to give extra help. Rye, the tiniest of the litter, along with her sister Crouton, required supplemental feedings to keep them on track.

adorable kittens with blue eyes
Credit: Cat Tales

Every gram mattered, and losing even a little weight could have been dangerous. Thankfully, both kittens showed a strong will to survive.

With Tracey’s constant dedication and syringe feeding around the clock, they soon began to gain strength, and their health took a positive turn.

kitten is lying on the sofa
Credit: Cat Tales

Though the smallest in the litter, Rye was the bravest. She truly wanted to live and fought hard for her survival. Tracey added:

“She is so small and fragile but keeps on trucking along. I anticipate her catching up. She has such a zest for life. She is adorable and doesn’t complain at all.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the litter was thriving, growing bigger and stronger each day. The lone male, a charming tuxedo kitten, was given the name Pumpernickel.

black and white kitten
Credit: Cat Tales

He’s such a sweet soul. When he’s not playing or wrestling with his sisters, Pumpernickel is seeking attention from his humans. Tracey said:

“Pumpernickel is the love bug of the group. He is gentle and sweet.”

kittens are playing playfully
Credit: Cat Tales

Crouton was almost as weak as Rye, but her overall condition was far from critical. Tracey shared:

“Crouton is so strong. She was wasting away, but fought to live. She was syringe-fed until she started feeling better and eating on her own.”

adorable kitty on the sofa
Credit: Cat Tales

And finally, the fourth kitten was named Sourdough. Not only was she one of the healthiest kittens in the litter, but she was also the loudest. Tracey added:

“Sourdough is the loudest. She lets everyone know she wants to be picked up.”

While the kittens continued to grow healthier and stronger under expert care, their mother was spayed and given the chance to retire from the demands of raising litters.

kitten wrapped in a warm blanket
Credit: Cat Tales

In the end, all four kittens made it through and are now thriving in their foster home, often found curled up on a lap or nestled together in a cosy pile.

Before long, they’ll be ready for adoption, and it’s certain they’ll quickly win over the hearts of loving families who will cherish them as they deserve.

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