A stray cat walked up to the right person for help, so her kittens could have better lives.
Jen, a volunteer of Little Wanderers NYC, received an urgent plea about a pregnant stray cat found in a neighborhood of The Bronx. The expectant cat mom was in a rough situation and desperately needed rescue.
Without hesitation, Jen rushed to the scene with a carrier and some cat food. Soon after she arrived, she spotted a tabby cat with a big belly walk up towards her.
Jen laid down a can of food for the young cat, and the sweet feline went straight to it and gobbled it down.
The cat was so thankful that when Jen showed her the carrier, she rubbed her face all over the gate as if to say she was ready to go. She gently made her way into the carrier and bid farewell to life on the streets.
They named her Free — free of hunger and free of fear. She was so content throughout her ride to the rescue. "We swooped in so this deserving mom could give birth in a warm house with tons of comfy blankets, delicious food, and a birth box," Little Wanderers said.
Kaitlyn, a volunteer of the rescue group, stepped up to help when she learned that Free needed a foster home.
The soon-to-be mom explored around her new abode before rolling on her back as if she had been there all her life. The sweet tabby felt right in her element and was so happy to be an indoor cat again.
"Free was just a kitten herself, less than a year old," Kaitlyn said. "Despite some really tough run-ins with people in her time as a stray cat, she is so affectionate and trusting."
About two weeks later, the momma's belly popped, and five healthy newborns made it into this world with help from the foster family. They were named after symbols of luck — Ladybug, Jade, Wishbone, Acorn and Clover.
These lucky kittens were born in the comfort of a safe home and would never have to spend a day on the streets. They were quickly introduced to clean, warm beds and received undivided attention from their loving momma.
Watch the little family in this cute video:
Over the next few weeks, the kittens blossomed into rambunctious little ones, running around the room with their unbridled energy, making all sorts of antics.
They went from little waddlers to skilled jumpers and climbers.
Momma Free started to give her babies more freedom to be independent as they grew big and strong.
While her kittens were busy wrestling with each other, she began to seek more attention from her people.
When the kittens were weaned and big enough to go on their own, Free officially retired from mama duties (spayed) and started acting like a kitten again.
She was ready to find a special family that would love and cherish her, and be the center of attention she always wanted.
After months on the streets, Free got a new lease on life through the kindness of volunteers at Little Wanderers NYC. A few days ago, she met the family of her dreams.
"She went to her forever home (10 days ago) and we have gotten nothing but sweet pictures and anecdotes from her new owner ever since," Kaitlyn shared.
The sweet tabby, now renamed KitKat, is loving her VIP life — where she can get attention and cuddles on demand.
"We couldn't be more excited for this love-bug to finally get to live a comfortable, kitten-free life off the streets."
The five kittens are now ready for their next chapter in life -- to find a place of their very own.
While waiting for the perfect families to come their way, the kittens are busy honing their feline skills, creating mischief around the house and providing endless entertainment to their foster family.
"They are sweet as pie and each of them have such special personalities. They are ready to love you just as much as you'll love them," the rescue wrote.
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Related story: Stray Cat Brought Her Kittens to Family's Yard So Their Lives Could Be Turned Around