A cat came to her foster home with her four precious kittens all born with a beautiful rare brown coat.
Last month, Laura Malone, a director of Mini Cat Town (in San Jose, California), was contacted about a family of five that needed rescue. A cat mom along with her four kittens had been brought to the city shelter.
There is not much information about where they came from. "Given her weight and her friendliness, I can assume she was cared for regularly by a human, but her paw pads are dry like a cat who has spent quite a bit of time outdoors," Laura told Love Meow.
Mini Cat Town didn't hesitate to take the family into their care. They quickly noticed that all four kittens had beautiful chocolate or cinnamon brown fur.
"We have four girls. Two appear to be solid in pattern and two have white socks and white markings on the face and chest," Laura added.
"Noses and toe beans appear to be a pinkish brown color, which would lead me to tentatively believe that they will not darken to black like Mom, but may remain close to this color. If that is true, they'll be extremely unique!"
A chocolate or cinnamon brown cat is hard to find. It appears only with a genetic mutation of the black color gene. "They are pretty rare, especially in shelter or rescue cats."
The cat mom, Mars, is a gorgeous kitty wearing a beautiful long-haired black coat. Upon arrival, she was a bit unsure about the new surroundings, but things quickly changed when she realized that her kittens were safe.
"The first night, she was growling so much at every noise and movement, making unwavering eye contact, and standing so defensively," Laura shared with Love Meow.
"After a little while, I realized she was just being vocal by letting me know she was scared and feeling protective of her kittens, but she herself wanted human interaction and pets."
Momma Mars eventually eased up to her foster family and allowed them to help her with her demanding babies (Hershey, Reese's or Reese, Twix, and Baby Ruth). She started making biscuits (kneading) while standing and greeting her people.
"It is the cutest thing — she looks like she is prancing."
The kittens are healthy, happy and chonky thanks to Momma Mars' undivided attention and unconditional love. They are figuring out their legs and getting more playful and adventurous each day.
"Hershey has a big old round head. Baby Ruth is the smallest and has a narrower face and more almond shaped eyes. Twix has a little white chin. Reese has a white spot near her nose and is so far the most outgoing of the kittens - always the first to venture to the open door."
Mars has blossomed into a love-bug. She's very affectionate and full of personality.
"When she first arrived, I made it a habit to always say, 'hello Mama,' when I opened the door. I wanted her to get used to the sound of my voice," Laura shared.
"Now when I enter the room, her head pops up out of the carrier and she comes running out to greet me! And then she follows me around and rubs my legs while I prepare her food."
"I can tell Mars is the kind of Mom who wishes her babies would always stay little, but these kittens are starting to be on the go!"
The kittens are thriving in foster care and their beautiful chocolate brown coat seems to stay. They are getting bigger, stronger and more rambunctious as they are entering the teenage phase.
The feline sisters are spending more time outside the comfort of their nest, playing and wrestling with each other. Mama Mars is always nearby watching over them every step of the way.
The attentive mom comes running whenever she hears a baby cry and grooms them on their face, showering them with love.
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